Michael Schumacher is set to return to Formula 1 at the European GP, and he is preparing by adding karting to his training program.

Schumacher took to the kart track with Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer last week, as he continued preparations for his planned Formula One comeback, which is subject to passing a fitness test.

"Karting has a very good training effect," Schumacher claimed on his official website.

"That is why I just jumped into a testing day of the Tony Kart Team in Lonato (Italy). There is nothing better for my preparations at the moment - in terms of steering wheel forces for example karting is even more difficult than Formula One."

Schumacher has already shed three kilos as he trains to ready himself for his first F1 race appearance since retiring at the end of 2006. And with warm weather predicted in Spain, the German said his day of karting should stand him in good stead.

"The fact that it has been boiling hot here is simulating the temperatures expected for Valencia," he added. "Luca Badoer is with me, and together we found again today that karting is just an awful lot of fun."

Although Schumacher won't get to test Ferrari's current F60, he has been using a two-year-old F2007 running on slick tyres. He is expected to undergo medical tests this week to determine his race fitness.

The only question mark surrounds the strength of his neck, which he injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this year.

"I have to admit that my neck pinches a bit," said the seven-time champion this week. "We have to get a grip on that as health has priority."