As Ferrari undertook a four day test session at Monza this week, and Felipe Massa drove for the Scuderia for the first time since signing a contract for 2006, rumours surrounding Michael Schumacher's departure, the possible arrival of Kimi Raikkonen and Valentino Rossi, spread through the newspapers.

F1 RUMOUR LINKS SCHUMACHER WITH MCLAREN AND RAIKKONEN WITH FERRARI

Stories linking Michael Schumacher with a switch to McLaren-Mercedes team for 2007 erupted this week after the German World Champion met Mercedes competitions' boss Norbert Haug recently, ostensibly to discuss the future of F1.

Meanwhile, influential German newspaper Blid claimed last week that McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen has signed a pre-contract agreement with Ferrari for the 2007 season. The 25-year-old Finn swiftly denied the newspaper stories, and with his McLaren-Mercedes currently the fastest F1 combination - if still struggling on the reliability front - a switch to Ferrari at this point in time would not make great sense on paper. For Ferrari - if Schumacher does decide to retire at the end of 2006 when his current contract expires - signing Raikkonen if he does become available makes logical sense, as he is very fast, smooth and always brings the car home - values held dear by the Italian team.

Schumacher muddied the waters further late last week, telling Berliner Morgenpost that "I would have no problem driving with him (Raikkonen) at Ferrari." With Schumacher always insisting on having a clear number one status in any team he drives for, the report provoked much amusement, and at present most F1 observers but most of the rumours down to Schumacher and Raikkonen looking to hike their own values in on-going driver contract negotiations, and the hand of F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone playing up Ferrari-related stories in the run-up to the Italian Grand Prix. Schumacher played down all the rumours on his personal website says, “It was clear that the topic of a possible change of team would pursue me here in testing, we always have something in the run-up to the Italian Grand Prix. Firstly I can say I am still very happy to be at Ferrari, independent of monetary issues. Secondly I am not thinking of leaving for another team. To be honest, I have already said that many times and it has never changed.”

FRESH TALK LINKS VALENTINO ROSSI WITH A FERRARI F1 DRIVE

During practice for tomorrow's Czech Grand Prix at Brno, four-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi mentioned that he has undertaken a further test session for Ferrari, and that two more are now planned.
 

Ferrari are now seriously considering Rossi as a candidate for an F1 seat in 2007, emphasised by the presence of the team's big guns - Luca di Montezemolo, Jean Todt and Ross Brawn - at his recent Fiorano test.

Rossi - who recently signed a one year extension to his Yamaha contract to bring him up to the end of 2006 - would be bidding to emulate John Surtees, the only man to win world titles' on two and four wheels, if he switches to Ferrari. Ever the flamboyant showman, Rossi crashed in practice yesterday at Brno, but then sent fastest time - just an example of the sort of qualities that would endear him to F1 fans. Commenting on the Ferrari test Rossi said "I could be fast in Formula One as well," although he conceded to La Reppublica newspaper that he would need to test at a proper F1 circuit "somewhere like Mugello or Barcelona" to fully make this judgment.

FOUR DAY TEST AT MONZA FOR FERARI

Scuderia Ferrari kicked off a four-day test session - along with all the other F1 teams - at the Autodromo di Monza on Tuesday, as their summer on-track development schedule continues apace. Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa took to the track on the opening day, both drivers at the wheel of an F2005.

Barrichello - who has just announced that he will drive for the BAR-Honda team next year - worked on a programme centered on set-up and tyres for the Italian Grand Prix, which takes place next weekend. He completed 94 laps, the quickest in 1:22.506.

Meanwhile, Felipe Massa took to the wheel of an F1 Ferrari for the first time since he signed a one-year contract (to cover 2006) with the Scuderia earlier this month. The Brazilian worked on getting to know the F2005, as well as concentrating on fine tuning during the opening day, eventually covering 61 laps, with a best time of 1:23.461. Massa's first runs behind the wheel of the F2005 were overshadowed by a row with Michelin (who supply his current team, Sauber) who were unhappy that he could pass important information on to Ferrari's tyre supplier, Bridgestone.

Day two saw Ferrari's official tester Luca Badoer drafted in to join Massa on-track, and continue with the development programme begun the previous day focusing on set-up and Bridgestone tyres for the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix. Badoer completed 130 laps, the quickest in 1:22.313. Felipe - now more acquainted with the F2005 - shaved over a second off his previous day's time as he covered a further 91 laps, and set a best time of 1:22.420.

The final two days of the test saw Michael Schumacher and Luca Badoer representing Ferrari, and continuing to work on aerodynamics, engine and Bridgestone tyres for the Italian Grand Prix. Schumacher completed 96 laps on Thursday, the quickest in 1:21.067 while Badoer turned in 78, with a best time of 1:21.502. The test was wrapped up yesterday with Schumacher having run running 80 laps on the final day, his fastest in 1:21.408, and Badoer 82 laps, with a best time of 1:22.194.

Monza Test Details - Circuit: Autodromo di Monza (5.793 km), Cars: F2005. 23/08 - Drivers: Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa; Weather: air temperature 19/27 °C, track temperature 23/41 °C. Sunny. 24/08 - Drivers: Luca Badoer and Felipe Massa; Weather: air temperature 20/29 °C, track temperature 24/38 °C. Sunny. 25/08 - Drivers: Michael Schumacher and Luca Badoer; Weather: air temperature 21/28 °C, track temperature 24/38 °C. Cloudy, then clear skies.