Adrian Sutil recently visited Ferrari’s headquarters at Maranello.
But the former Force India driver’s manager denied that German Sutil, 29, is therefore a hot contender to replace Felipe Massa in 2013.
Indeed, the Cologne newspaper Express said Sutil was only at Ferrari’s private test circuit Fiorano for a day of road car driving with friends and a factory tour.
"It’s true," the out-of-work former Spyker and Midland driver’s manager Manfred Zimmermann said.
"Adrian was at Ferrari and also at the test track.
"But he was in a road Ferrari. He was not in the simulator or getting a seat fitted," Zimmermann insisted.
As for the likelihood this might have been Sutil’s first step towards a Ferrari future, he admitted: "We definitely would not be opposed, but currently there are no negotiations.
"We are however confident that Adrian will be back (in F1) next year," added Zimmermann.