Wild rumor – Schu to race MotoGP at Mugello

UPDATE #2 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Michael Schumacher has slammed rumors that he could be set to make a sensational return to competitive racing on the saddle of a MotoGP bike later this year.

It was reported recently that the retired seven time world champion, following his competitive tests for Ducati, could be seeking a wild-card entry for the Mugello round.

Schumacher's long time manager Willi Weber seemed to perpetuate the story when he said last week that "anything is possible".

While testing Ferrari's new formula one car in Spain on Monday, however, the 39-year-old German put a stop to the runaway story.

"It is an absolute lie," Schumacher is quoted as saying by the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"At the most, I can race on a scooter," he added.

02/22/08 (GMM) Michael Schumacher's manager has fascinatingly refused to dismiss wild rumors that the retired seven time world champion might contest a MotoGP race in the future.

It was reported recently that the 39-year-old German was exploring the possibility of making a wild-card entry for the Mugello race, after impressing on the saddle of the Ducati in a couple of tests.

The rumor was played down by MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta and Ducati chief Livio Suppo, but Schumacher's long time manager Willi Weber seemed more open about the idea in conversation with the German newspaper Bild.

"Anything is possible," he said. "Michael has a lot of racing machines lying around at home and, sure, the motorbikes are often taken out by him for fun.

"But there are no concrete plans for a racing comeback," Weber added.

F1 great Michael Schumacher

02/18/08 (GMM) Wild rumors are doing the rounds that Michael Schumacher could be set to make a racing return — on the saddle of a MotoGP bike.

The French sports newspaper L'Equipe seemingly began the speculation by publishing an article raising the possibility of the 39-year-old German, who retired as a seven time world champion in 2006, making a wild-card entry for the Mugello event this year.

Schumacher has twice tested for the Italian motorcycle marque Ducati, impressing with his pace. It is also reported that the former Ferrari racer may have tested again at France's Circuit de Bresse.

L'Equipe also claimed that someone from Schumacher's entourage recently visited the headquarters of MotoGP's governing body to arrange the documentation for a one-off race entry.

In the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday, however, MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta, and Ducati chief Livio Suppo, dismissed the stories.