Schumacher left for dead by fighter jet

MICHAEL Schumacher’s Ferrari was outshone by an Italian Air Force fighter jet yesterday.

Driving his F2003-GA in which he won the Formula One world title for a record sixth time, Schumacher lost 2-1 over three distances 600, 900 and 1,200 metres against a Eurofighter Typhoon in a duel designed to bring the full acceleration range of both machines into play.

The jet, piloted by former Italian astronaut Maurizio Cheli and which can only stay on the ground for the first 400 metres, occupied the main runway at the Baccarini airport, 140km from Rome, while the Ferrari raced alongside it on an asphalt track.