Rossi Scheduled fo Test Ferrari F1 Car in January

Ferrari's preparations for the 2010 season will include a private testing session for 9 time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, due to take place in January 2010. The piece of information was disclosed by Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport during the weekend, whose reporters found out that the Maranello officials gave the go-ahead for the test during the past week.

“I have already asked Domenicali via text if I can have another test,” sounded Rossi's request for a Ferrari test shortly after bagging the MotoGP title this season, while admitting that he would only do it for fun and not as a way of switching careers in the neat future.

Apparently, the Scuderia said “yes” to his request and Rossi will therefore return to a Formula One cockpit for the first time since November 2008. He then drove a few laps in the Ferrari F2008 at the Mugello circuit, recording some pretty decent lap times (if we were to trust the team's official timing reports).

We're yet no sure what Rossi will be driving 2 months from now and where exactly the test will take place, but our guess is that the Italian driver will be given the chance to drive the F60. The team is already at high speed when it comes to 2010 car development, and will most likely switch to heavy testing of their new challenger as soon as Fernando Alonso becomes an official Ferrari-an (as of January 1st).

Rossi has just finished testing his own MotoGP challenger for 2010 at Valencia – the new Yamaha bike – and is scheduled to appear in the Monza Rally Show two weeks from now. He will attempt to clinch his 3rd win in the aforementioned event, while facing some tough competition from endurance racing ace Rinaldo Capello.