Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt said the Italian team rates BMW-Williams star Juan Pablo Montoya highly - but denies any contact over a future drive.

The Columbian was linked with a move to Ferrari earlier this month as a long-term replacement for Michael Schumacher.

The Italians were said to be chasing his services for 2003 as a team-mate to the German four-time world champion, before taking over his mantle as team leader when Schumacher retires.

"We think Montoya is a good driver," said Todt. "His first year in Formula 1, at the wheel of a competitive Williams car, was a positive one.

"However, Ferrari has never had any contact with him, either directly or indirectly. We do not wish to give any credence to those who might have an interest in promoting these rumours."

Montoya's manager, Julian Jakobi, also dismissed the story, saying that Montoya was committed to the Grove team.

The Grove-based BMW-Williams team concluded a non-stop seven-day test in Valencia in the build-up to Friday's official launch at Silverstone.

The test was conducted by both team drivers, Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya, as well as both official test drivers, Marc Gene and new recruit Antonio Pizzonia.

As in Barcelona the previous week, the test programme was conducted using a combination of the 2001 season's and interim chassis to run BMW's new engine, the P82, as well as gearbox and drivetrain updates.

Williams chief operations engineer Sam Michael said: "We encountered some problems at the start of the week, but all of the small niggles were quickly ironed out and the drivers managed to clock up substantial and invaluable mileage.

"We have focused our attentions on reliable running of the major components that are new to the car for 2002, as well as assessing Michelin's new compounds and constructions."