Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo says MotoGP star Valentino Rossi will only race for the team in Formula One if he has a serious chance of winning. Rossi has agreed to test regularly for Ferrari next year to establish whether he could make the switch.
"He is not obliged to race in F1. If he decides to, it is because he decides he is ready to win," said Di Montezemolo.
"He is very popular with Italians but we don't need popularity. We need a winning driver."
 | If we come together, it will be to win the championship and not to put on a show |
The only person to have won world titles on two and four wheels is Briton John Surtees.
Rossi, 26, is on course for a fifth successive MotoGP world title, and has a year left on his Yamaha contract.
He has already tested at Ferrari's team's private track and technical director Ross Brawn said he was impressed by his potential.
"Neither he nor we have a pistol to our heads," said Di Montezemolo.
"If something comes of it, it will above all be his decision. If Ferrari and Rossi come together, it will be to win the world championship and not to put on a show that we do not need."