- 30 Jul 09, 22:27#138531From F1 Live:
The German motorsport federation Deutscher Motor Sport Bund has already sent off the application paperwork for Michael Schumacher's new Formula One superlicence.
The FIA confirmed that even though the 40-year-old German is a seven time world champion, his mandatory superlicence expired at the end of 2006. However, it is believed receiving a new one is a mere formality.
"Under normal circumstances Michael Schumacher should get a superlicence," a FIA spokeswoman told the German news agency SID.
Meanwhile, Schumacher's F1 return is generating plenty of interest.
"So excited to see Michael Schumacher race again," cycling legend Lance Armstrong, who recently pulled off his own sporting comeback, said on his Twitter page. "The greatest of all time!" the American added.
Felipe Massa's father also welcomed the news. "I am sure Felipe will be happy," Luiz Antonio said.
Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport said Schumacher will prepare for Valencia in the Fiat driver simulator in Turin. “The whole of Formula One celebrates," the newspaper said.
E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Not only must he await his superlicence but Michael Schumacher must get the green-light of a doctor before shifting his planned Valencia comeback into high gear courtesy of his motorbike shunt earlier in the year.
The 40-year-old German, who retired from F1 in 2006 but has agreed to return to replace Felipe Massa, is to undergo medical tests at the Bad-Nauheim sportklinic in Germany.
"It's only because Michael has worked so hard in recent months that all of this is possible," a confident Dr Johannes Peil, who treated the champion following his fall, told Bild newspaper.
It is also rumoured that Schumacher may attempt some testing miles prior to Valencia, despite the official ban on in-season circuit testing.
The Tagesspiegel newspaper reports that while Ferrari is not allowed to run the F60 except in a straight-line, Schumacher may instead turn to the Italian team's 'F1 Clienti' department, which operates former grand prix cars for wealthy enthusiasts.
Possible venues for Schumacher's test were named as Imola or Mugello.
E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Michael Schumacher on Wednesday announced he is looking forward to the challenge of replacing his injured former Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa at forthcoming Grand Prix.
"I met this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe," the 40-year-old German said.
Schumacher hung up his helmet as a record-holding seven time world champion and winner of 91 Grand Prix and insists he has never regretted his decision.
"Though it is true that the Formula One chapter was completely closed for me a long time ago, 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.”
The Italian team said it will enter Schumacher as Massa’s replacement following a training programme for the German, who earlier this year hurt his neck in a motorcycle testing crash.
"I really can't tell you if his neck would be fine to drive an F1 race - and remember he is a 40-year-old man, too," Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm warned.
E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998,
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