Grapevine: Ducati rubbish Schumacher rumours

Schumacher's speed in two tests he has done for Ducati, allied to recent running at the Bresse track in France, have prompted speculation that the seven-time Formula One world champion could try and enter a MotoGP race.

But the stories have been completely dismissed by MotoGP chief Carmelo Ezpeleta, whose Dorna organisation would have to approve the wildcard.

"It's not true at all," Ezpeleta told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Okay, maybe we'll have him racing with (Kimi) Raikkonen in a sidecar!"

Ducati team manager Livio Suppo also said he was unaware of any developments with Schumacher - despite saying how much he enjoyed working with the German at the Valencia and Mugello tests he has done with Ducati.

"Honestly we don't know anything about it," he said. "I can say it was a pleasure to work with Michael in the two tests he did with us, where he demonstrated to be very professional, especially at Valencia where he showed that the times he set at Mugello weren't made up.

"But from there to see him racing it's a long way. First of all we'd need to hear his opinion about it, but on the contrary, we've never spoken to him or to his management."