Manager admits Sutil visited Ferrari headquarters

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.