Schumacher, Berger test GT BMW.

The preparations of two different arms of the BMW motorsport effort combined at Monza this week, as Ralf Schumacher and Gerhard Berger got the chance to test the marque's potent M3 GTR GT car.

Schumacher took time out of his Formula One preparations to join former BMW Motorsport director Berger in taking turns behind the wheel of the muscular 450bhp sports racer, which appears in both the Grand-Am Rolex Series and other sportscar endurance races around the globe. In 2004, BMW Motorsport will field two such cars in the 24-hour events at the N?rburgring and Spa-Francorchamps under the direction of Schnitzer Motorsport boss Charly Lamm, who was present at the Monza test.

Schumacher clocked up a total of 37 laps during his time at the wheel, and said that, despite some physical discomfort, he had thoroughly enjoyed the outing.

"It was a fun event for which I have to thank BMW," the German reported, "Of course, the driving experience is totally different to Formula One - this is no open-top, and it's practically like driving in a cage. You get pretty hot under the helmet. But those laps certainly had their appeal."

Berger, who stepped down from his role at the head of BMW Motorsport towards the end of last season's F1 campaign, was no less enthusiastic.

"Looking back on my touring car days, I have to say the M3 GTR is a very powerful and fast car," he said, reflecting on his early career as a member of the BMW touring car team, "Compared with Formula One, of course, it doesn't quite have the same performance, but I very quickly settled into the car and clocked some good times. And, thanks to power steering, you don't have to work as hard as you used to."

The idea for this two-fold test drive was hatched at the BMW Motorsport Party held at Seefeld in early December.

"It was very late, and Ralf, Gerhard and I had gravitated to the M3 GTR on display at the venue," BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen revealed, "Our shared enthusiasm for the car culminated in the decision that the two drivers simply had to take it out for a few fast laps. Schnitzer team manager Charly Lamm was there like a flash to turn the idea into reality."