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Schumacher to test GP2 car

ESPNF1 Staff
January 11, 2010 « Sebastien Buemi to drive F1 car on ice | »
Schumacher will up his F1 preparations by testing a GP2 car © Getty Images
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In preparation for his Formula One return Michael Schumacher will test a GP2 car this week at Jerez in Spain.

Reports in the newspapers Blick and Bild reveal that, despite the current F1 testing ban, the FIA has approved the test which will take place between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Schumacher hasn't driven a high-powered single seater since testing a two-year-old Ferrari F1 car ahead of his aborted return to the sport last season. He is now set to make a comeback with Mercedes and visited the factory last week to check on his new team's preparations. Bild said the GP2 car will be provided by the British team Super Nova.

Schumacher also revealed this week that he negotiated his new contract at Mercedes without the help of his long-term manager Willi Weber. In doing so he is expected to have saved around €700,000 (US$1 million) by not paying Weber's usual 10% commission.

"I am now old enough to take care of a few things for myself," Schumacher said, before adding that Weber is still his manager. Weber is believed to be working on personal contract deals that, so far, are estimated to have quadrupled Schumacher's €7 million (US$10 million) retainer from Mercedes.

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