Vettel to also test Ferrari next week

Sebastian Vettel will keep his pre-season preparations in a high gear next week.

While his rivals still have their engines silent, the German returned to action on Tuesday with a test in Ferrari’s 2014 car at Fiorano.

Initially, the outing was described by some outlets as a ’filming day’, but Italy’s Autosprint claims it was actually a test according to article 10.2 of the sporting regulations.

The FIA rule allows the running of cars made to "comply with the 2012, 2013 or 2014" technical regulations.

L’Equipe (France) said Ferrari did the test, with the FIA’s prior approval, to "correlate data" acquired in the wind tunnel.

And publications are reporting that Vettel will also be in action for Ferrari - the fabled Italian team that has targeted winning the world championship this year - next week.

While official pre-season testing does not begin until the end of next month, Pirelli has organised a wet tyre test involving Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren.

Finland’s Ilta Sanomat, and Speed Week and Auto Motor und Sport (Germany), claim Vettel will be driving the 2015-spec Ferrari at Paul Ricard, along with teammate Kimi Raikkonen.