Valentino Rossi, who won his third consecutive motorcycling world title on Sunday, could swap two wheels for four if Formula One team Ferrari have their way.

A day after Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won a record sixth Formula One world title, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said he wanted 24-year-old Honda rider Rossi to take a test drive for the team.

"A serious test, no joking," Montezemolo told Radio Anch'io Sport. "It's always been difficult going from two to four wheels, and it is even harder today ... But Valentino is a great champion and the symbol of a land of motorsports."

Italians dream of an Italian driver in the Ferrari seat.

Alberto Ascari was the last Italian to win a world title with Ferrari. He took the championships in 1952 and 1953.

But Rossi, who has dominated top class motorcycling for the last three years, has been approached by several Formula One team before and, while not ruling out a switch, has always declared rally driving to be his first love as far as four wheels are concerned.

The five-times world champion, he won the 125cc championship in 1997 and the 250cc class in 1999, has yet to agree an extension to his contract with his Honda team, sparking speculation that he may be open to offers.

Briton John Surtees won the 500cc world motorcycling championship four times in the late 1950s and early 1960s before moving on to claim the Formula One title for Ferrari in 1964. 

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