Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will step-up his preparations for a return to Formula One by getting behind the wheel of Ferrari’s 2007 F1 car this week — the official Formula One site has reported.
The German will have a two-day test session at Italian circuit Mugello, starting on Tuesday, as he prepares to takes over from the injured Felipe Massa at the European Grand Prix in Valencia later this month. It follows the 40-year-old’s one-day stint in the two-year-old car, running on GP2 slick tyres, just over a week ago. Schumacher has set up the test with the Italian manufacturer’s F1 Clienti department — and is understood to be paying for the two-day private session himself. Ferrari had hoped to Schumacher could test the current F60 car. However, this was ruled out after rival teams objected to the plans, which would have broken 2009 regulations preventing in-season testing.
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As well as this on-track work, Schumacher has also been busy behind the scenes getting ready for his return in Spain on August 23. He has visited Ferrari’s factory to familiarize himself with the F60’s controls and to use the team’s simulator — while fitness training has already seen him lose three kilograms of weight.
