Schumacher Returns - wait ... no he doesn't - Or Will he?

Schumacher makes shock F1 return

Michael Schumacher will make a shock return to Formula 1 to replace injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

Ferrari said the 40-year-old will stand in for as long as Massa is sidelined with the serious injuries he sustained in the Hungarian Grand Prix last week.

"For team loyalty reasons I can't ignore this unfortunate situation," said the former Ferrari driver.

His spokesman Sabine Kehm had told the BBC on Tuesday that although Schumacher - who was working as an advisor for Ferrari - was not willing to make a full-time return to F1, he would not rule out standing in for Massa.

But the German racing legend has decided to come out of retirement and make a sensational return, despite admitting: "It is true that the Formula 1 chapter has long been closed for me.

"The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive, and I wish him all the best again"

"This afternoon I met with team principal Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe."

"As the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."

The German racing legend has not driven an F1 car since April 2008 and now has just over three weeks to prepare himself for Valencia.

The ban on in-season testing means Schumacher will not be able to turn a wheel of the 2009 specification Ferrari before first practice on Friday 21 August.

However, the team have chosen Schumacher ahead of reserve drivers Marc Gene and Luca Badoer to drive for Ferrari whilst Massa continues to recuperate.

"Ferrari intends to entrust Michael Schumacher with Felipe Massa's car for as long as the Brazilian driver is not able to race," a statement said.

"Michael Schumacher has shown his willingness and in the next few days he will undergo a specific programme of preparation at the end of which it will be possible to confirm his participation in the championship starting with the European Grand Prix."

Schumacher will undergo an intensive training programme to determine whether he is fit enough to return to the rigours of F1 racing.

Since retiring the German has occasionally taken part in motorcycle events but in February he suffered neck and back injuries in a bike accident.

Those injuries could affect his ability to drive an F1 car which places huge pressures on the neck because of the varying G-forces.

Massa could be out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a fractured skull sustained when a spring from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn hit him on the helmet when he was travelling at more than 160mph during qualifying in Hungary on Saturday.

The Brazilian is due to leave intensive care and is making progress, though there is also concern about damage to his left eye.

Schumacher is close to Massa, who was his team-mate in his final season, and has taken a close interest in the Brazilian's career.

BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator David Croft believes Schumacher is coming back because of his close relationship with the Brazilian.

"I think he's coming back because it is to replace Felipe Massa, temporarily. He is very close to Felipe, they've had a great relationship over the years," Croft told 5 Live.

"I think it's his way of doing something to help Felipe, and doing something to help Ferrari at the same time, because if you look at the alternatives Ferrari had, they weren't really alternatives."

"Who else is there who could come into Ferrari and hit the ground running, who knows the car, who knows the team, who could give them a podium?"

"The European Grand Prix, which was not one we were looking forward to at the start of this year, has now got a real spice to it."

"Lewis Hamilton against Michael Schumacher for the first time ever? Jenson Button up against Michael Schumacher? How will Kimi Raikkonen respond? It's going to be fascinating."

Schumacher has won a record 91 grands prix in a dazzling Formula 1 career.

In 2004, he captured a seventh world title, five of them for Ferrari and two for Benetton, to become the most successful F1 driver of all time.

BBC Sport.

Great news this I reckon. So far the F1 season has been crap, at least with this and although it's unfortunate circumstances will brighten the season up a bit.

Also means Alonso can beat him again

It's a shame it will only be temporary.

Brings some spice back into the competition a bit. As much as i never liked Schuey, im looking forward to seeing what he does.

The one true formula one legend returns.. Ferrari's saviour Michael Schumacher

I love this man! Think he is brilliant, recently read a biography on him. Good luck to him.

Interestng. We will see how good he is as the cars a re very different now. Plus he will not have Ross Brawn in the Pits.

But he still is the Dogs Bollocks of F1. Wellcome back Schumacher, we've missed you.

Just for those who do not know of his record in F1
SCHUMACHER'S F1 RECORD
1991: Makes F1 debut for Jordan, switches to Benetton
1992: First Grand Prix win (Belgium), finishes third in the championship
1994: Wins first world title with Benetton, winning eight races
1995: Retains world title, winning nine races
1996: Joins Ferrari
1997: Finishes season second but is disqualified from championship
1999: Breaks leg at Silverstone when leading world championship
2000: Ends Ferrari's 21-year wait for a world title, winning nine races
2001: Retains world title, again winning nine races
2002: Quickest ever world title win, with 11 race wins
2003: Breaks Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five world titles
2004: Wins seventh and final world title
2006: Retires at the end of the season
2009: Announces comeback to fill in for injured Felipe Massa

Well over the moon,glad to see schuey back and show us what we have been missing.

WOW cant wait counting down the sleeps NOT !

Never liked Schumacher when he was racing before but really looking forward to seeing him now.  No doubt he is the biggest F1 legend and can't wait to see him racing alongside Raikkonen.  Hopefully it gives Kimi the kick up the backside he needs and restore some of his love in F1, and hopefully he puts Schumi in his place.

Exciting times but unfortunate how they came about with Massa's incident.

Same never liked the lad i think you could see that i never liked him mabe because when i was watching it when i was younger he was winning it all the time

Can't wait to see him back

Can't wait to see him back

Can't wait to see him finish behind Alonso again

Never knew there was this thread.

Fantastic news. Made up about it. Schumacher's return would definitely generate more interest in the sport again - that spirit of fast cars is dying off slowly.

Just feeling a little sorry for Massa - he definitely did not deserve this. But it gives us all a chance to witness what is possibly the world's greatest racing legend - back in action again.

Still remember researching and reading up on him for a project, I had a whale of a time such a fantastic driver. I'll hold my hands up and say I've not been catching the past five F1 races or so, but the next one with Schumi in it will definitely take a good look.

No doubt, great news that he comes back. I can't wait till the next race.

Can expect a bit of this then:

I think it's a bit crap of Williams, Red Bull and Toro Rosso to veto Schumacher testing the new Ferrari though.

Every other team had voted to allow him one day's testing in the new car, the ones who didn't must be a bit scared

He's born in this town, where I live.
Thats near cologne.

Schumacher must make medical tests, before he can come back. Due a bike accident, he has a neck injury.

Can't wait to see him finish behind Alonso again

Why you little hoe

Schumacher must make medical tests, before he can come back. Due a bike accident, he has a neck injury.

You're right, and unfortunately his injuries were too severe for him to return.

Schumacher U-turn! Pain in the neck puts paid to Michael's second coming at Ferrari

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has pulled the plug on his sensational return to Formula One as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycling accident earlier this year.

Schumacher, a seven-time F1 world champion, had agreed to help out former team Ferrari and step in for Felipe Massa on a temporary basis after the Brazilian suffered head injuries at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month.

But the German has now abandoned the comeback after failing to shrug off an injury suffered in a motorbike accident in February.
 
Ferrari have also announced that test driver Luca Badoer will step in for the European Grand Prix on August 23.

Schumacher told his official website: 'Yesterday [Monday] evening, I had to inform Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe.

'I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out.'

The 40-year-old had intended to return at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23 but testing designed to help Schumacher re-acclimatise himself with the rigours of F1 have shown the injuries to his neck are 'too severe'.

Schumacher reportedly posted strong times having driven Kimi Raikkonen's 2007 World Championship-winning Ferrari at the Mugello circuit in Italy but the neck flared up again afterwards.

He added: 'Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible.

'The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike-accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe.

'That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet.

'This are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination yesterday afternoon.

'As there were no improvements after the day in Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to do that thorough examination yesterday.

'I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me.

'I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races.'

Schumacher, who retired at the end of the 2006 season, won five championships with Ferrari and had been working as a consultant for the Italian team before making the shock decision to return to racing at the highest level.

The German, who claimed his other two drivers' crowns with Benetton, has entered 250 grands prix, winning a record 91 of them.

With Badoer behind the wheel in Valencia, Ferrari have a difficult decision to make regarding the future of Massa.

Although he has made a speedy recovery after sustaining two skull fractures, and the Brazilian has vowed to return this season, it is unlikely he will compete before the 2010 campaign.

Daily Mail

Totally gutted about this.   Even though I didn't like him in his prime, I thought it would have been great for F1 to see Schumi back.  He always was a pain in the neck wasn't he.

Shame...

Was looking forward to this...

Shame really.

It would be a sensational comeback for a legend. And also the younger generations would get to see him drive again!