F1 News - Michael Schumacher Back Behind The Wheel11/12/2006

He might have retired from Formula 1, but Michael Schumacher hasn't retired from driving. The seven-time World Champion contested his first race since the season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix over the weekend, at his own kart track in Kerpen, Germany.

Schumacher entered a team of eight drivers in the 24-hour race. Among the line-up were Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, Schumi's step brother Sebastien Stahl and Germany's junior kart vice champion Marcel Lipp. Managing the team was Peter Kaiser, an old mate of Michael's who attended his final grand prix in Brazil.

"We weren't the quickest," said Michael, "but we had the most fun for sure."

Following the return of double World Champion Mika Hakkinen to the cockpit of a McLaren at Barcelona last week, the sporting world waits with bated breath to find out whether Michael will test for Ferrari in the coming weeks.

The 37-year-old remains adamant that he will "take a few months off to think about what to do next", but perhaps his desire to test Bridgestone's 2007-spec tyres will prove too great.

Watch this space.