Schumacher unsure about his racing future
The seven-time world champion said he was sad about not being able to race in Valencia
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Wednesday, 12, Aug 2009 04:19
By Adam Leveridge.
At a press conference in Geneva, Michael Schumacher has explained why he bailed out of making a return to formula one at the European grand prix in Valencia.
The seven-time world champion was due to step in for the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari, until the Brazilian feels well enough to return to the sport following his accident in qualifying for the Hungarian grand prix.
But Schumacher, having already started an intense training programme in preparation for his debut on August 23rd, was forced to step aside from the drive, when it was confirmed by doctors that his neck injury, which he picked up during a superbike test session in February, had not healed sufficiently.
Since this revelation, there has been speculation that the German might take over later in the season or even make a full-time comeback to F1 next year in a third Ferrari alongside Massa and Kimi Raikkonen.
But Schumacher said he is undecided over his racing future.
"Speculation in this business is pretty natural," said Schumacher.
"Lots of people have their own opinions and thoughts but the fact of the matter is that I'm very disappointed not to do what I was looking to do. That's all that I'm really thinking about and have to digest somehow.
"You can imagine that I obviously do feel kind of frustrated and quite sad because due to the circumstances I wasn't exactly expecting to be ready, but because of what happened I was obviously available to support the team and everybody.
"We have prepared ourselves very seriously, we have done as much as we could do from our side, but right from the beginning, Ferrari and ourselves always mentioned that I would do the job under the condition of being ready for it. It's sad that in the end I couldn't fulfil this target."
The seven-time world champion went on to say that he believes Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer, who will now step in for Massa at the European grand prix, is the right man for the job.
"Luca is a very good friend," Schumacher continued. "He has prepared himself quite strongly to be ready for all the years because this was his main job - to be ready in case something happened.
"So he is not somebody that has been sitting quietly around not doing anything.
"He has always been ready and naturally he has worked out very hard since Felipe's accident. We had said that I first need to confirm if I physically could do it and therefore it was always normal for him to keep himself on the fitness level he would need.
"I think he is the best one. Yes, he hasn't raced for a long time, but a racer doesn't lose the racing spirit and I wish him well for a difficult task.
"It's a tough thing to face but if I see anyone it can be Luca."
Schumacher also mentioned that he was happy to see Massa making so much progress so quickly.
"At the time I gave him, Felipe, my cockpit I was tired and I wanted him to take over.
"The good thing is to see that his recovery is going well, he's very motivated - he's working not very hard because he's not allowed to - but it's good to see his progress and I'm very happy about that."