Schumacher to test again with Ferrari

Retired seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher will test again for Ferrari at Jerez in southern Spain next month, the Formula One team said yesterday.

"We haven't arranged the programme yet but he will do a couple of days," a Ferrari spokesman said.

Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season but returned to the race track this month in a test that Ferrari described at the time as "half for pleasure, half for technical reasons".

He was the fastest driver on both days he tested at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

The 38-year-old German, who has ruled out a return to racing, has useful experience in driving cars without traction control and so-called 'driver aids'.

Formula One's technical rules are changing next year, with such systems removed.

"My love for this sport has never faded and to drive the F1 car is the best you can do as a motorsportsman," Schumacher said on his website (www.michael-schumacher.de) before the last test.

"It has nothing to do with my decision to retire though, that is irrevocable.

"I hope I can give Ferrari some support in the preparations for the new season."

Ferrari won both world championships this year, with Finland's Kimi Raikkonen taking the drivers' title.