No Monza test for Schumacher

UPDATE (GMM) Contrary to reports earlier this month, it now appears less likely that Michael Schumacher will return to the cockpit of Ferrari's 2008 car at the forthcoming Monza test.

Press speculation in Germany said the retired seven time world champion's Monza outing was a reaction to the reliability and performance problems suffered by the Italian team in recent weeks.

But Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm subsequently would not confirm the news, and the usually reliable Swiss newspaper Blick is now reporting that the German will actually not be testing at the high-speed Italian venue next week.

08/07/08 (GMM) Michael Schumacher's spokeswoman will not officially confirm that the occasional Ferrari test driver is scheduled to be back at the wheel of the F2008 at the forthcoming Monza test.

Reports this week suggested that, amid the Italian marque's current trough and reliability problems, retired seven time world champion Schumacher would be giving his input at the Monza group test later this month.

But his spokesman Sabine Kehm told adrivo.com: "No, I cannot confirm that."