Michael Schumacher has an "important contribution" to play in the development of Ferrari's new formula one car for 2009, team boss Stefano Domenicali said at the launch of the F60. With all testing to be banned from the beginning of the forthcoming season to the end, it had been anticipated that former seven time world champion Schumacher's role as an occasional test driver might be put on hold.

But Domenicali said on Monday that the German, still under contract to the Maranello based team for the duration of 2009, can still play a role. “Michael is the only one with experience with slick tyres and, together with [test driver] Luca Badoer, he will give an important contribution,” the Italian said.

Schumacher, 40, was present at the launch of the F60, as were Ferrari's race drivers, and testers Badoer and the Spaniard Marc Gene.

Source: GMM