07/11/2007
NEWS STORY
MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner was just one of the many observers left open-mouthed by seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher when the German, using the Australian's Ducati, lapped the Valencia track just five seconds off the official lap record.
Schumacher's ride took place on the first day of testing at the Spanish track, and just a week before he steps back into an F1 car at Barcelona.
Having set his best time of the day, Stoner handed over his bike to Schumacher, who wowed all those present with his performance. The German's best time was only five second slower that the official lap record posted by Dani Pedrosa, who won the Valencia GP on Sunday. Indeed, Schumacher was only one second slower than former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz.
"I had no expectations," Schumacher told Gazzetta dello Sport, "just enjoyment because I'm in love with motorbikes."
The German also praised Stoner's achievement in winning the 2007 title. "If you remember that last year no one would have bet on him at all and Ducati took the risk to take him on board.
"Sure he got a good bike and there is the tyre situation," he told reporters, "but he beat his teammate and other guys on the same tyres, so a big credit to him. He rode it so smoothly, so perfectly. I'm very impressed."