After his work in the simulator on Thursday afternoon at Maranello Michael Schumacher move up another step with the work of physically preparing himself for the European Grand Prix on 23 August. The seven-time F1 World Champion went on the track at Mugello yesterday for a private test in the F2007 managed by the Formula 1 Clienti department at Ferrari. Michael drove 67 laps of the circuit which is owned by Ferrari, with the fastest of these being in 1.23.736.

It's a great thing getting back on the track with an F1 even if this was a car from 2007 from the F1 Clienti department with slicks usually used in GP2 and obviously there is no real point of reference, Schumacher commented after the test runs. After a couple of laps I was able to drive constant lap times and I'm happy with the performance. Now we've got to see how my body and the muscles respond in the next days, the German driver added.

The programme will be defined in the next few days. Ferrari has also asked the other F1 teams to have the possibility from Schumacher to test the F60 before the race at Valencia and is now waiting for a reply.

Meanwhile Felipe Massa's health condition is improving day by day so that a return back home could be imminent, the latest update from Ferrari, issued yesterday, reports. If everything proceeds the best possible way, Felipe could leave Budapest on Monday to be brought to Sao Paulo do Brasil, where he will start rehabilitation, the statement adds.

italiaspeed.com