Schumi comeback confirmed

Legendary driver returns to F1 to step in for injured Massa

Last updated: 29th July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Schumi comeback confirmed

Schumacher: F1 return

F1 BETTING
Sky Bet go 2/1 for F1 legend Michael Schumacher to win any Grand Prix this season after the dramatic news of his comeback to the sport. They are offering 16/1 for the German to win the next race in the calendar - the European Grand Prix on August 23rd and he is 3/1 to secure a podium finish in Valencia. To bet on this market click here.

Related links

Teams

Also see

Ferrari have confirmed seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will make a sensational return to Formula One to stand in for Felipe Massa.

German legend Schumacher still works for Ferrari as an advisor and, after Massa suffered serious injuries in a crash at the Hungarian grand prix, he will now get back behind the wheel once again.

Although the idea was originally rubbished, Ferrari have confirmed that Schumacher will come out of retirement to replace Massa - provided he passes a fitness test.

"Ferrari intends to entrust Michael Schumacher with Felipe Massa's car for as long as the Brazilian driver is not able to race," a Ferrari 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 on Aug. 23."

Retirement

Although Schumacher has been retired for almost three years, he felt that he owed it to Ferrari to step in for Massa until the Brazilian is fit enough to return.

"This afternoon I met with (team principal) Stefano Domenicali and (president)

Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe," Schumacher said on his official website.

"Though it is true the Formula One chapter has been closed for me for some time, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore this unfortunate situation.

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

Schumacher must prove his fitness first, but he has some time to prepare as the F1 season takes a summer break ahead of the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

Schumacher, 40, sustained a neck injury in a motorcycle accident in February, and must prove he is fully recovered before embarking on his comeback.

During his career, Schumacher won 91 times in 250 grand grix starts until he called it a day and retired in October 2006.

Comments (85)

Jamie Tullett says...

I think Schumacher will struggle. there is a lot of talent in the sport at the moment and he has been out the car for a while, can his neck take it after that motorbike accident. Lewis to win in valencia. think schumacher around 6th or 7th

Posted 16:28 3rd August 2009

Andy Wynn says...

Questionable tactics on occasion, but no doubt the greatest driver of certainly the modrn era if not ever. I am so pleased that the god that is Schumacher is back. F1 has certainly lost its way since he went. The season has just come alive. And of course the main person to benefit is Jenson Button. Its a shame that it took such an incident for him to return and i wish Massa a speedy recovery. Make you think that he took a step back for the team in the first place?? Bring on the rest of the season :-)

Posted 16:27 30th July 2009

James Inglis says...

I have never really been a fan of Michael Schumacher or ferrari ,Always been a fan of DC,Webber and Button but damn i cant wait to see him return what a climax to a already excellent season of F1,Dont expect to see him win but it would be good for him ferrari and F1 as a whole...Come on Michael......Get well massa.....

Posted 13:45 30th July 2009

Nick Royce says...

It brings tears of joy to my eyes when reading how happy everyone is to see the King of F1 return, like all sporting legends, it gives u a natural high just knowing u might see them again doing what they do best. I cannot wait to see Schumi again, I have lost a lot of passion for the sport sinse he went, but now he's back I will be glued to the screen. I am sorry that such a bad thing happened for the master to come back, so I wish for 2 things, a speedy 100 percent recovery for Massa and the master to show just why he is the greatest. Woooooohoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 13:29 30th July 2009

Marc Holt says...

There has been no one to step up to the mantle since Schumcaher left and as a result the sport has went off the boil. I watched religiously for years but the season follwing Schumachers retirement I noticed I was watching more out of routine than enjoyment and have since stopped watching. I will now be watching again purely as Schumacher is racing.

Posted 13:20 30th July 2009

Ivan Kettle says...

At last just what every TRUE motor racing fan has wanted to see. The young pretender against the MASTER. Come on schumie show Lewis how its done properly

Posted 13:03 30th July 2009

Adam Gardner says...

Firstly i would like to wish Felipe a speedy recovery- can't wait to see you back on the track friend. Also can't wait to see a certain fellow who goes by the name of M Schumacher back on the track- what a kind, loyal gesture from the ol' master himself!! Any more twists and turns for this season?!

Posted 12:46 30th July 2009

Si Hu says...

Get well soon Massa..and good luck Michael.. Dont expect too much though with the testing regulations he wont be having much time in the car before the racing starts !.

Posted 12:42 30th July 2009

Jamie Gibbs says...

Schumacher coming back to F1 is great for the sport, but it is questionable to call him the greatest driver of all time when he had no competition for most of his championships. Hakkinen Proved he can be beaten and when Alonso came in he beat him twice, prior to Alonso all he had to compete against was DC and Montoya and they were never good enough to win titles. Now There are 4 or 5 teams that can go into a gran prix and say "we can win this", Hamilton Has Done a brilliant job in a wreck of a car this season and that win last week proved how great he is. but the man to win this season is Vettel, he wont fear Schumi, or any1 when button was flying he was there on podiums and new it wouldn last forever and now he has a great chance, best car and best driver, Vettel will Partner Lewis next season.

Posted 12:30 30th July 2009

Jeff Davis says...

It still hasn't sunk in !!! It was like a bereavement when he left in 2006 and i have been miserable ever since ! The King is back. Doesnt matter where he comes although i have a feeling he will be quietly wanting to be at the front ,butit will just be fantastic to see the red charger once again instead of relying on DVD and youtube to see him. GO SCHUMI !!!!! we love you

Posted 12:28 30th July 2009

A P says...

As a Schumacher fan I think that it is a good idea for Schumacher to come back into the F1 picture however I think that it isn't fair to bring him in at this stage as it would be unfair to the other drivers such as Button etc. On the other hand though it does show his loyalty and commitment to the team and that it was his decision to come back as well to help his team.

Posted 12:26 30th July 2009

Vince Edmunds says...

greatest of all time?? unfortunately Ayrton cannot be present at the European Grand Prix. lets hope the seven times world champion doesnt manage to crash his ferrari and just about get it back on track to help Kimi, or drive into the side of jenson if Kimi is following him. the best thing about this is that it has the potential to take points from red bul and assist Jenson on his way to the Championship.

Posted 12:10 30th July 2009

Lisa Burke says...

First of all, I'd like to say I wish Felipe Massa a full and healthy recovery and I hope to see him back racing next season, if not before. I am a big fan of the Grand Prix and have watched for many years. I'm not, however, such a big fan of Michael Schumacher and have seen him win and lose using all sorts of very questionable tactics - team orders meaning Rubens Barichello having to hang back and let Schumacher through to win in, I believe, Austria, a few years ago, come to mind and that's just the start. I simply don't think it's fair for Ferrari to bring him back into racing for less than half a season just because one of their drivers is unable to race. I can't imagine Kimi is too happy about it either! Would Ferrari be happy with other teams bringing in their retired drivers occasionally just because one of their regular drivers was not available? I doubt it. I don't ever recall this happening before and I don't believe it is fair for the other teams and drivers who work hard all season to just have this man thrown into the mix. He doesn't drive for them anymore, he may be a consultant, but he is NOT a driver anymore. It's as simple as that. Ferrari are not going to win the championship this season so they should just concentrate on consolidating what they've already got for the rest of the season.

Posted 11:35 30th July 2009

Anup Padhiar says...

This is amazing! I never thought that I would see him behind the wheel of a Ferrari ever again. The guy is the greatest of all time and I can't wait for the next grand prix now!

Posted 11:26 30th July 2009

Nick Haring says...

Just as Lewis gets a good car, the master returns to show him how its done. Please Ferrari, prep Schumi a good competitive car so he can prove to the world once again exactly why he is the greatest F1 driver of all time!

Posted 10:05 30th July 2009

Steve Coles says...

Thanks Michael Schumacher for returning, don't try and do too much too soon, we just appreciate you just being present in the Ferrari. What the sport is missing is person like Michael who was consistant in every race, this has been a big loss to the sport. I cannot look at benchman like Michael to value how everyone else is doing. The past you had, Mansel,Prost,Senor,Alonso was ok for a while, but you have no one now, this is what F1 is missing. Get Well soon Massa your a great driver, I hope Michael will improve your car for your return. All the best, Steve

Posted 09:59 30th July 2009

Heath Browning says...

Ahh Yessss ! I cant wait for MS to get back in an F1 car and race. Just the thing F1 needs to spice it up a bit. I think he is still capable of doing a fantastic job. He is blessed with raw racing talent..........and that never leaves you ! I bet the other drivers are thinking 'Oh no, not him again'

Posted 09:52 30th July 2009

Michael Heslop says...

Its very exiting, i dont think he will be at the front, purely due to the ferraris not being as quick as some of the other teams, i beleive the battle will be between him and barachelloas the brawns seem to have lost some pace. I think his age, time out and car will mean he wont be racing directly against hamilton, vetell and webber. I would love him to beat the misery guts that is raikonnen, i would roll around laughing

Posted 09:46 30th July 2009

Sarah Stokes says...

It's amazing news that Schumacher is returning to F1. I am a huge fan & agree with everyone who said that something has been lacking from F1 since he retired. Schumacher is an F1 genius & will hopefully show everyone what the Ferrari car is missing this year.

Posted 09:37 30th July 2009

Rich W says...

Up untill Michael retired i would be on the edge of my chair watching F1 & rootin' for him. Haven't really bothered to watch the racing since the 'bad boy' has gone, but i'll be there for the next race. I wouldn't expect miracles, but if he wiped the floor clean with the upstarts and showed 'flash in the pan' Lewis the way to go - well, my day would be made! It's a shame he's returning under such awful circumstances, but i wish him the very best and,of course i am hoping a speedy recovery for the man who should have been wearing the no1 on his car this year.

Posted 09:34 30th July 2009

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private