When Ducati MotoGP test rider Vittoriano Guareschi suffered a minor injury during testing at Mugello, former seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher was🔴⭕ called up to take his place on Thursday - but once again denied any racing ambitions.

Guareschi hit the ground during the second day of a three-day Ducati Corse Development Team test and, although not seriously injured, a bad knock to his coccyx me🎉ant the Italian was unable to continue.

That led to Ducati offering Schumacher the 💛chance to make his third appearance on a Desmosedici grand prix machine - and the German, who finished fourth during his 'official' motorcycle race debut, during a KTM Trophy round at Misano last Sunday, 'did not hesitate for a second'.

Despite 'difficult' weather c🍸onditions, Schumacher completed 42 laps on the 800cc GP8ജ, with a best lap time 'in 1min 58.0secs'.

The fastest race laps d🌊uring the 2007 Italian Grand Prix ranged from a 1min 50.357secs, set by Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa, to a 1min 53.735secs, set by Kurtis Roberts on the KR212V.

"It was a nice surprise yesterday when I received the sudden offer to come to Mugello today," Michael said. "And despite the difficult weather conditions it was again big fun to ride the Ducati. But I repeat it very clearly that I have no intention at allꦰ to step into any kind of MotoGP competitions."

Schumachဣer impressed th𒆙e two-wheeled world by lapping within five seconds of the lap record during post-race testing at Valencia last November, having made his 'MotoGP debut' - on the 990cc version of the Desmosedici - during a test at Mugello in October of 2005.

On that occasion Schumacher, t🀅hen still racing for Ferrari, was reported to have circulated 16 seconds off MotoGP pace, illustrating his impressive rate of progress since.