Michael Schumacher: “There’ll be no second career on motorbikes”

Ferrari

Mar 30, 2008

Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher finished fourth in his first competitive motorbike race.

The 39-year-old, who was third in qualifying, recorded the second-fastest lap in the minor series event at the Misano circuit in Italy.

He was blocked in at the first corner and slipped down to 10th place but battled back through the field to finish just outside the podium places.

Schumacher rode a 990cc KTM Super Duke in the 10-lap KTM Trophy race.

“At the start I was a bit too careful, I didn’t begin well and I was well behind. Then I found my way and started overtaking and it was great,” he said.

Asked afterwards if he was considering making a career in MotoGP or Superbikes, he added: “There’ll be no second career on motorbikes, this is just a hobby.”

The German has tested a Ducati MotoGP bike since retiring from F1 in 2006 but has expressed no desire to make a serious switch to two wheels.

Riding a Super Duke 990, the German dropped from third to 14th on the first of the ten laps - before battling back up to fourth place by the chequered flag.

The former Ferrari ace set a fastest lap of 1min 49.612secs in the process, which was only beaten by race winner Andrea Padovani, who posted a best of 1min 49.508secs.

“This is not the start of a second career. Even if I do a race from time to time that does not mean anything else than I do it because I want to enjoy myself,” he said. “I just enjoy motorbiking. I do not have any ambitions to step into any kind of racing series.”