Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has poured cold water on the idea of Italy hosting a grand prix in Rome, branding the scheme “unthinkable”.

Regis Laconi set the pace in first qualifying at Misano yesterday as World Superbike Championship leader James Toseland suffered a miserable session.

Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and team-mate Rubens Barrichello will appear at Ferrari’s Trofeo Pirelli challenge later this month.