Michael Schumacher returns to F1

Ferrari has issued a statement announcing that seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher could come out of retirement to replace the injured Felipe Massa in Valencia at the end of August. Schumacher will undertake intense training in the following weeks to prepare himself for the event. Schumacher said, "The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive. I wish him all the best again.

I was meeting this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo, and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe. Though it is true that the chapter of Formula 1 has been completely closed for me for a long time, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation. But as the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge.

"Ironically, the announcement came only one day after Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, ruled out his return. He told The Daily Mail on Tuesday, "Whoever sits in the car at the next race in Valencia, it will not be Michael Schumacher. I am not 100 per cent sure; I am 200 per cent sure. The pressure on him would be huge. He would be expected to win, but he has not driven this car. When Michael was racing he would get as close to perfection as possible. In this case, it would not be perfection; it would be a gamble - and that's not Michael's style."