Schumacher scraps F1 comeback plans
11 August 2009
Michael Schumacher has called off his eagerly-anticipated Formula One comeback with Ferrari because he has not recovered from a neck injury he sustained in a motorcycling accident earlier this year.
Michael Schumacher has called off his much-anticipated return to Formula One.
more photos » Schumacher was due to replace the injured Felipe Massa for the Italian team at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23, but announced on his personal Web site that these plans have now been scrapped.
"Unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe," the statement read.
The seven-time world champion added "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."
The 40-year-old German was due to start a two-day test session on Tuesday at the Italian circuit of Mugello ahead of his return.
An earlier one-day test behind the wheel of a 2007 Ferrari had given the first hints that Schumacher was struggling for fitness. source: cnn.com