Michael Schumacher Cancels F1 Return, Badoer Replaces Massa

From Autosport.com

Michael Schumacher has had to cancel his Formula 1 comeback as a
result of the neck injuries he suffered in a motorcycle crash earlier
this year.

In a statement issued on his website, Schumacher said that he told
the team last night he was not fit enough to race as a replacement for
the injured Felipe Massa.

"Yesterday 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," he said.

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

Schumacher suffered a sizeable accident during a German superbike
test at Cartagena in Spain on February 11 – which forced him to abandon
entering motorcycle races. It had been hoped that the injuries he
suffered in that crash would not impact on his F1 return, but medical
examinations have indicated that problems remain.

"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," added Schumacher.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by
Formula 1 yet. These 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 already
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 had been due to test an F2007 at Mugello in Italy from
today, but there is now little reason for him to see through with that
running.

Badoer to replace Massa at Valencia

Luca Badoer has been drafted in as the temporary replacement for
Felipe Massa for the European Grand Prix, after Michael Schumacher was
forced to abandon his F1 comeback.

Schumacher had hoped to fill-in for Massa at the forthcoming races,
but a neck injury picked up in a motorcycle accident has forced him to
call off his F1 return.

As a result, Ferrari will promote its test driver Badoer to the race
position for the next race in Valencia, as a reward for his many years
of efforts with the team.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said: "I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing.

"In the past few days, I could appreciate his great efforts and
extraordinary motivation which had spread through the team and fans
around the world. No doubt his return would have been good for Formula
1 and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again.

"In the name of Ferrari and all the fans, I wish to thank him for
the strong attachment he displayed for the team in these circumstances.

"In agreement with Stefano Domenicali, we have therefore decided to
give Luca Badoer the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put
in so many years of hard work as a test driver."

The 38-year-old Italian has been a Ferrari test driver since 1998 and last raced in 1999, for Minardi.

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Previous News

Return of the Schu’Mach’er?

Michael Schumacher, the seven-time world champion, plans to come out
of retirement as Felipe Massa’s replacement at Ferrari from the
European Grand Prix.

Following days of speculation about who would slot in alongside Kimi
Raikkonen following Massa’s Hungarian GP crash, Ferrari issued a
statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming that Schumacher was being
prepared for the role.

The statement said that Schumacher was ‘ready’ to make his F1
return, and would undertake a training programme over the next few days
to ensure he was up to full fitness for an F1 race.

Schumacher Tests Old Car at Mugello

Michael Schumacher has began his preparation to return to Formula 1 action at the European Grand Prix next month.

The seven-time world champion will replace Felipe Massa in the
Valencia race as the Brazilian continues with his recovery following
the accident he suffered at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.

Ferrari Asks For Testing Permission

Ferrari has asked rival teams for permission to have Michael
Schumacher test this year’s car during the testing ban ahead of the
European Grand Prix.

The German driver will replace Felipe Massa at the Maranello-based
squad in Valencia, but Schumacher had not driven a Formula 1 car since
last year.

The seven-time champion has already began his preparations for the
race, having taken to the Mugello circuit today in a two-year-old F2007
car.

But Ferrari has written to the FIA and to its rival teams asking to
allow Schumacher to test for a day with this year’s F60 car in order to
arrive better prepared for the Valencia race.

Raikkonen Calm on Schumacher Return

Raikkonen insisted the identity of his team-mate was largely irrelevant to him, but welcomed news of Schumacher’s return.

"For me it makes no difference who drives the second car," he said.
"I don’t think it is 100 per cent sure that he will drive as he is
still checking things out.

"But it will be nice to have him as a team-mate. It nearly happened before."

Schumacher’s comeback also received support from his former rival Juan Pablo Montoya.

The Colombian NASCAR racer, who had some memorable wheel to wheel
battles with Schumacher before leaving F1 for stock cars, expects
Schumacher to cope well, although he doubts the seven-time champion
will improve on Raikkonen and Massa’s recent results.

"I heard he was testing today already," said Montoya. "Physically
he’ll be fine with all the testing he’ll do before that I think.

"Will he do a lot more than the current Ferrari drivers are doing? I’ll be surprised but you know… you never know.

"I’m sure they’re going to make sure that they come up with something new for his arrival to make sure he looks good."