Grapevine: Schumacher takes Ducati for a ride
Michael Schumacher completed a private test on the Ducati Desmosedici GP5 MotoGP bike at the Mugello track today

The former World Champion requested the test, and his Ferrari team chief Jean Todt permitted Schumacher to make the run on two wheels only once the Formula One season was over, and on a track the German was well familiar with.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Schumacher had his first laps on the MotoGP monster around midday, having been delayed in the morning due to uncertain weather.
Schumacher ran before lunchtime a total of 20 laps, with his initial laptimes around two minutes and 40 seconds. He was able to later bring the times down to two minutes and 13 seconds.
In comparison, Valentino Rossi took pole position at Mugello earlier this year, with a time of 1:49.233. Ducati rider Loris Capirossi set a time of 1:49.633 in that qualifying session.
Schumacher is set to continue his MotoGP test in the afternoon hours.
Schumacher's run is held behind closed doors, with only few exclusive photos released. Ducati team manager Livio Suppo and rider Randy Mamola are supervising Schumacher's progress, with a select few Ferrari personnel also present, including test driver Andrea Bertolini.
About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Michael Schumacher , Mick Schumacher |
Author | Michele Lostia |
Grapevine: Schumacher takes Ducati for a ride
Trending
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...