Banned from testing the Ferrari 2009 F1 car, Michael Schumacher has continued his Valencia preparations with two days of Karting at Lonato in Italy.

On Wednesday, Schumacher joined (Ferrari official test driver) Luca Badoer at the South Garda track as he continued his preparations for his return to the F1 cockpit later this month.

"Karting has a very good training effect, that is why I jumped at the opportunity of testing with Tony Kart Team in Lonato," he wrote on his website.

"There is nothing better for my preparations at the moment," he continued, "in terms of steering wheel forces, for example, Karting is even more difficult than Formula 1. And the fact that it has been boiling hot here is simulating the temperatures expected for Valencia."

Concluding the test today, the German said: "We had two very good days, Luca and me could well exploit the time. Arms, upper body, shoulders, neck... an excellent practice indeed. I really would like to expressly thank Roberto Robazzi and his Tony Kart Team who, as always, prepare only the best conditions for us.

"What was especially nice for me," her continued, "was that Corinna had joined me these days. It was our wedding anniversary yesterday and we celebrated it with a nice dinner in the evening. In the next days I will keep practicing at home."

Only last month, Schumacher was in action at the Lonato track, taking on Felipe Massa, who he is replacing in Valencia, Robert Kubica, Sebastian Vettel, Timo Glock, Sebastien Buemi, Nelson Piquet, Tonio Liuzzi and Christian Klien.