Michael Schumacher returns to the track…

The seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will temporarily come out of retirement to conduct tests alongside the 2007 winner, Kimi Räikkönen, next week, Ferrari announced on Tuesday.

« It’s half for pleasure, half for technical reasons, » a spokesperson said.

Schumacher, who is now 38 years old, retired at the end of the 2006 season after winning 91 Grand Prix, an all-time record for a driver.

The German was not behind the wheel of a single-seater this year, but he attended many races this year as a technical advisor for Ferrari. The team won both titles this year, most recently clinching the drivers’ title with Kimi Räikkönen.

Some technical rules will change next year, with traction control, among others, being removed.

« Michael has extensive experience driving vehicles without any traction control and electronic devices, so it is obvious for him to bring his expertise, » stated Schumacher’s spokesperson.

Although Schumacher said in May that he had no desire to get back in a F1 car, team boss Jean Todt stated that the offer was still there.

Todt said that if Michael had the desire to drive the car, he would be happy to fulfill this request, he stated, adding that Schumacher will be on track on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Schumacher has not participated in any testing since he retired, although he drove the F2007 for a few laps on the Fiorano track, Ferrari’s temple, at the end of last month. This occasion coincided with a visit from the management of the parent company FIAT.

He also drove an old car on the track in June as part of Ferrari’s 60th anniversary.