Grapevine: Schumacher taken for a ride

The Ferrari driver, who drove a similar bike himself at the end of last year, rode around the Italian track in a two-seater Ducati, with former 500cc race winner Randy Mamola in the front seat.

"Very impressive. It's been a fantastic experience," Schumacher told Gazzetta dello Sport. "It felt like I was going faster compared to when I tested the Ducati here at Mugello. I've learned more this time as a passenger.

"Being a passenger is a strange feeling, and a couple of times I hit Randy's back with some little blows to remind him that next Sunday I have to race at Silverstone.

"You can feel the speed a lot more on the bike than on the car, where you feel more protected. On top of that, as a passenger I don't have the situation under control. In any case, even after having tried the Ducati, I always go easy on the road. On a Harley you ride differently..."

Mamola added: "Michael is a fantastic person. To take around the world's fastest man was exciting. I think I was more nervous than he was."

Schumacher travelled to Mugello from Switzerland on his Harley Davidson to watch the MotoGP race, which was won by Valentino Rossi, who met with the German driver.

"Michael is a real bike lover," said Rossi. "When I tested with Ferrari I was asking about cars while he wanted to talk about bikes.

"MotoGP is more spectacular, while Formula One is more difficult to understand, but there's capable people there too who dedicate their entire life to cars.

"It was nice to meet him at Mugello. Schumi came to say hi in the garage. Who was he supporting as a fan? Me, for sure, also because every Sunday I support him."