Sep.8 (GMM) Michael Schumacher surprised observers at Monza on Saturday by arriving at the circuit a couple of hours ahead of qualifying.

The retired seven time world champion took up his perch on the Ferrari pitwall, despite announcing recently that he would watch the rest of the 2007 season from the comfort of his Swiss home.

38-year-old Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm explained that the German decided at the last minute to drop in at the Autodromo Nazionale, scene of Ferrari's home race, following an engagement in nearby Milan.

It is not known whether he will return to the circuit on Sunday for the race.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, meanwhile, is this weekend making his usual visit to the Italian grand prix.