Schu risks 'serious injury' on bike.

Bernie Ecclestone has questioned the rationale behind Michael Schumacher's increasing outings on two wheels, suggesting the German racing legend is risking 'getting himself seriously injured'.

Schumacher claimed a record seven world drivers' titles during his career in Formula 1 from mid-1991 to the end of 2006, and since stepping down from the top flight has conducted a number of tests aboard Casey Stoner's championship-winning Ducati MotoGP bike.

In addition to that the 39-year-old made his maiden racing appearance on a KTM machine at Misano in Italy last month - finishing an impressive fourth having dropped back as far as 14th early on, with the race's second-fastest lap to his name to boot [see separate story - click here].

Now, however, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone - a man who started out as a motorcycle dealer himself - has added his concerns to those of former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, pointing to the irony of Schumacher's latest 'hobby' given how much of a vociferous campaigner for improved safety he had been during his time in grand prix racing.

"In Formula One he was always pushing for more and more safety," the 77-year-old is quoted as having said by two-wheeled website Visordown. "Now he's racing a motorcycle!

"I don't quite understand why he would now risk getting himself seriously injured. It makes no sense to me."