Ferrari want to tap into the 38-year-old's experience of F1 cars without electronic driver aids ahead of the ban on such systems for next year.

"It's probably a one-off. Michael does not intend at all to go back to F1," his spokeswoman told BBC Sport. "He's testing just as part of his contract, which is to help Ferrari in whichever area he can.

"He is much more experienced than the other drivers in cars without electronic aids, this will be good input for Ferrari. There is nothing intended about coming back to racing."

Schumacher retired from F1 at the end of 2006 after winning 91 Grands Prix in the most successful career in the sport's history. The German attended several races this season in his new role as Ferrari technical adviser. The team won both the drivers' title with Kimi Raikkonen and the constructors' championship this year.

F1's rules are changing next season, with the introduction of a common electronic control unit (ECU) to be used by all teams.

The new ECUs will not include electronic driver aids such as traction control, which was re-introduced to the sport in 2001.

Although Schumacher said in May he had no desire to step back into a F1 car, team boss Jean Todt made it clear the offer was always there.

"Todt said that if Michael had the desire to drive the car, he would be happy to fulfil it," said Schumacher's spokeswoman.

"It's half for pleasure, half for technical reasons."

Schumacher will test on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The German has not taken part in a test since he retired, although he did drive the F2007 for a few laps in the wet at Ferrari's Fiorano track at the end of last month. He drove an older car as part of Ferrari's 60th anniversary celebrations