[Racer Duck]

By Gareth Fair - Motorsport.com

Michael Schumacher had been given the title of "super assistant" for the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team, but it has now been revealed as a role that is likely to involve testing and development of the F2008 car.

The 39-year-old German has actually started the testing, having been behind the wheel for the tests at the end of last year. There are, at this time, no more test sessions planned for Schumacher but it looks likely he will be involved.

When asked at the Ferrari press ski event about more testing, Schumacher remarked: "It's possible, if they need me, but there's no schedule. Probably helpful for the team to have me around and to have a third opinion about what's going on."

Schumacher, after his retirement in 2006, was still employed by the Scuderia Ferrari team in 2007 in his new position of Team Advisor and attended a number of the races last year as a consultant. It does look like his role will be more hands-on this year.

"If the team wants me, and it's not too much, then I'm happy to do this. Test driving is not part of the agreement but because of the rule changes, they asked me for a third opinion," he said.

He hints that he could be back in the car soon, and when asked when the testing would be, he commented, "It's probably more likely and makes more sense to have it maybe before the championship starts rather than during the championship."

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[DOF_power]

Schumacher is great car tester and developer, so he'll be an asset for Ferrari.