Actions speak louder than words. Surely a multiple world champion driver like Michael Schumacher would appreciate such a principal, yet the retired Formula One driver continues to proclaim that he has no intention of competing in MotoGP despite his actions suggesting otherwise. After bringing you previous reports of Schumacher dazzling the crowds at various motorcycle races, comes news that Schumi was called up by the Ducati team to fill in for its injured test driver. The Italian motorcycle racing team was in the middle of a three-day test session when its official test rider Vittoriano Guareschi was injured after falling off his bike, precluding him from continuing with the tests. Rather than call on any of what surely must be a long list of eager and experienced motorcyclists to take Guareschi's place, Ducati called Michael and asked him to step in.
Meanwhile Schumacher's successor at Ferrari, reigning world champion and current points leader Kimi Raikkonen, an experienced motocross rider, uncharacteristically commented at this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix that he'd like to follow in Schumacher's footpegs and try out a MotoGP racing bike, however Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali put the brakes on the prospect for the time being by commenting that Kimi has enough on his hands focusing on defending his title on four wheels.
Remember those rumors that Michael Schumacher was gearing up to race motorcycles? Well, despite the initial denials, the retired seven-time F1 champion surprised crowds at the Pannonia-Ring in Hungary by showing up on the grid for a motorcycle race.
The paddock was filled largely by amateur riders, but Schumacher was joined in his appearance by IDM (German Superbike) champion Martin Bauer on 1000cc Honda Superbikes and fellow IDM rider Andy Meklau. On his motorbike racing debut, Schumacher took pole despite only running a few practice laps beforehand, but opted to start the race with the IDM pros who were handicapped with back-of-the-grid starting positions. That didn't stop the seasoned trio from dominating the event, however, as they filled the podium, Schumi coming in third. (Schumacher, however, shied away from the limelight by not attending the podium ceremony.) Although Schumi's lap times were six seconds slower than the IDM pair, he was some 0.6 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Not bad for his first race. Not too bad at all.
Rumors of Michael Schumacher racing on two wheels in the MotoGP series have been bouncing around like a Ferrari-red rubber ball. First came the initial speculation, coupled with denials from both MotoGP and Ducati, the team for whom the retired F1 champ was rumored to ride. The rumor-mill was set a-churnin' again, however, when Schumacher's longtime manager Willi Weber responded that "anything is possible".
The runaway speculation, however, has been emphatically put to rest as Schumacher himself has outright denied the possibility. "It is an absolute lie. At the most, I can race on a scooter." Well there you have it – case closed. Schumacher will compete next season in the International Vespa Championship. Or maybe he meant on a Ferrari Segway? (Yes, we are joking.)
We enjoyed the 2007 Formula One season, down, as it came, to the last race in a three-way heat with the third-place driver ultimately taking the title. But part of us misses Michael Schumacher, even if his five consecutive back-to-back world titles cast a heavy and at times monotonous shadow over the sport. That's why we love bringing you stories about what Schumi's been up to since his retirement, and there's been plenty to report.
Now, after driving taxicabs, launching his own karting team, rejecting offers to head up Scuderia Ferrari, and fighting for victory at the Race of Champions, the latest rumors suggest that Schumacher could try his hand at motorcycle racing. The reports originate from French sports newspaper L'Equipe, which cites the world champion's previous two tests for Ducati (title-sponsored, like Ferrari, by Marlboro) and reports of Schumacher's reps visiting the MotoGP headquarters as evidence that Michael is planning on entering this year's two-wheel race at Mugello – which, incidentally, is owned by Ferrari. The heads of both MotoGP and Ducati have dismissed the reports, but the prospect of Schumacher dueling with the likes of Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi on their own terms has us wondering "what if?"
