Schumacher not pursuing late switch to motorbikes

RETIRED Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher has no plans to try and repeat his success on a motorbike, despite finishing fourth in his first competitive race on two wheels.

The 39-year-old, whose seven titles and 91 grand prix wins make him F1’s most successful driver, recorded the second fastest lap in the KTM minor series race at the Misano circuit on Italy’s Adriatic coast last Sunday.

“I am not intending to be the new Casey Stoner or Valentino Rossi,” said Schumacher. “I am not intending to take it up as a secondary career. If so, I should have taken it up 20 years before.”

Schumacher, who has tested a Ducati MotoGP bike since retiring from F1 at the end of 2006, rode a 990cc KTM Super Duke in the ten-lap KTM Trophy race.

He finished third in Saturday’s qualifying. But the German said he was surprised by his success last weekend.

“I was very surprised since I didn’t get into it until about six months ago and I haven’t done that much driving, particularly on two wheels,” Schumacher said.