The 22-year-old is second in the GP2 standings behind Red Bull junior and Prema teammate Pierre Gasly, having enjoyed a very strong second part of the season.

The Italian, 10 points behind Gasly with two rounds remaining, is currently the top rookie, having taken four victories so far, including in last weekend's Feature race at Monza.

Ferrari said Giovinazzi had visited Maranello on Monday for his first ever test session in an F1 simulator.

"It was a very enjoyable experience and I would like to thank Ferrari for this opportunity", said Giovinazzi.

"However, now it's straight back to concentrating fully on my GP2 programme for the rest of this season."

Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene said over the Italian Grand Prix weekend that the Maranello squad was following Giovinazzi's progress closely.

"Of course," Arrivabene said. "We are active in terms of a development programme but it is never easy to line everything up.

"We are Italian, and to have with us an Italian would be a positive thing. But it's not easy."

Giovinazzi is managed by the well connected Enrico Zanarini, agent for Ferrari's Kaspersky sponsorship, and manager of both Ferrari Driver Academy member Antonio Fuoco and Ferrari sportscar man Giancarlo Fisichella.

Additional reporting by Adam Cooper