> Gene stays at Ferrari for 2007

Marc Gene will continue as a Ferrari test driver next year, the team confirmed on Friday.

The 32-year-old Spaniard has been with the Maranello squad since the end of 2004, and before that performed a similar role for Williams.

However, Ferrari admitted Gene is likely to have a reduced workload due to new testing restrictions in 2007.

“He will remain at our disposal if required to be involved in testing,” a team spokesman was quoted as saying by Reuters.

“He will be with us next year, but with the reduction in testing it is less likely that he will do too many kilometres.”

The move to a single tyre supplier has greatly reduced the need for tyre testing.

Ferrari had already confirmed that Luca Badoer would be its main test and reserve driver next season.

As such the Italian is thought the more likely of the two to take part on Fridays of grand prix weekends should the team deploy a third driver.