Ferrari's Michael Schumacher spun off the track in practice yesterday morning, just hours after announcing he wasn't fit to race anymore this season.

Schumacher was putting his F399 through its paces at the Mugello race track in Tuscany when he lost control on the `Scarperia' bend, spun off the track and collided with a safety barrier.

The former double world champion had completed about 15 laps when the accident occurred, forcing him to walk back to the pits while his damaged car was removed from the trackside.

Ferrari were hoping that Schumacher had recovered from breaking a leg at the British Grand Prix in July and could help team-mate Eddie Irvine's bid to win the world title in the final two races.

But Schumacher decided over the weekend that although he was well enough to practice, he wasn't able to see out a grand prix.

His stand-in, Mika Salo, will now stay on for the decisive races in Malaysia and Japan.