MAGNY-COURS, France, June 30 (Reuters) - Michael Schumacher returned to the racetrack to give retired World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane a taste of Formula One at the French Grand Prix on Saturday.

Formula One's seven times world champion, who retired in October but still holds the Magny-Cours lap record, drove the former France playmaker twice around the circuit in a black Ferrari FXX sportscar.

The German won last year's French Grand Prix for a record eighth time. Although he has attended races this season, he had not been back on track since he quit.

The ride was part of a fundraising effort for the ICM brain and spine charity supported by both men.

"It was a strong feeling, in fact I felt a little like getting out of the car," said Zidane. "But it was a great pleasure to be with Michael Schumacher."

Asked why neither man had worn a crash helmet for the high-speed ride, Schumacher replied that Zidane had refused: "For myself, I pretty much know what I'm doing and know when I have to have one," he added.