Ferrari to launch new car on February 3

Luca di Montezemolo on Thursday clarified reports that he intends to stand for the Italian presidency in 2013.

The Ferrari president’s letter to members of his political think-tank Italia Futura this week was interpreted by some as his announcement of a tilt at the top job.

"Going into politics? No I’m with Ferrari," he clarified, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Montezemolo took the opportunity of the media event at Fiorano to announce the launch date of Ferrari’s 2012 car — 3 February.

And he also addressed rumours about Felipe Massa’s future, insisting that while the Brazilian "could continue" beyond 2012, the Maranello based team is "always looking around".

Gazzetta reporter Andrea Cremonesi claimed Ferrari has "approached" drivers including Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg and Mark Webber "in recent months".