Injury forces Schumacher to scrap plans for comeback
SEVEN-TIME champion Michael Schumacher yesterday said he was “disappointed to the core” after being forced to abandon his hotly-anticipated comeback less than two weeks before his first race in three years.
The German, 40, had been set to make a sensational return to the track at this month’s European Grand Prix as a short-term replacement for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.
But a neck injury failed to withstand the demands of practising in an F1 car and, after consulting doctors on Monday afternoon, Schumacher admitted defeat.
Ferrari have confirmed that test driver Luca Badoer, whose last grand prix came 10 years ago, will instead stand in for Massa in Valencia on 23 August.
“I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn’t work out,” said Schumacher.
“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.”
Schumacher, who won five consecutive titles during an 11-year spell with Ferrari, broke bones in his neck and head in a motorbike accident in February.
The injury was not thought to be a major concern when he provoked huge excitement earlier this month by announcing he would come out of retirement.
But practice sessions at Ferrari’s Mugello track in a 2007-specification car aggravated the complaint, forcing Schumacher to seek urgent medical attention.
“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,” he 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.”
Ferrari coaxed Schumacher, who retired at the end of the 2006 season, out of retirement after Brazilian Massa suffered a fractured skull at last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix.