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[EwanM]

But the rules say...



I still think he should be given a straight line test only.

I still disagree. The circumstances are quite different from the Toro Rosso situation.

Again though, the rules don't mention "in unforseen circumstances" god Ihate the sporting regulations.

I don't really mind if Schumacher gets a proper test day. He's only going to Valencia to take out Hamilton.

[EwanM]

Now I was never a Schumi fan post-Jerez, but if he won in Valencia, i'd actually be kinda pleased.

Edit: this is already one of the best seasons in Formula One for many, many years. We could have a Keijo situation all over again with Webber, who knows?

If Schumacher did win a race, heck even him returning just adds to this season.

Again though it is a shame that Massa's accident was the cause of this.

[Denthúl]

FOTA vice-chairman John Howett has confirmed that eight of the ten formula one teams are happy if Michael Schumacher conducts a one-off test at the wheel of Felipe Massa's F60 Ferrari.


The Italian team had made the request to the teams alliance, as well as the governing FIA and non-FOTA teams Williams and Force India, so that Schumacher has a chance to acquaint with the Maranello built car prior to his Valencia comeback next month.

"Toyota's understanding is that all FOTA teams have agreed to accept this request," Howett, also president of the Toyota team, is quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"The situation for Felipe is very unfortunate, and this is a sporting gesture which I am confident Ferrari will respect," he added.

It is believed he is referring to the fact that the teams have asked Ferrari to ensure that Schumacher is simply acquainting with the red car, rather than conducting any sort of technical development work.

The Telegraph said the FIA received the approval of some teams, including Red Bull, "with conditions attached".

Ferrari confirmed that the request was made and said it is "waiting for a reply".

Schumacher, 40, lapped Ferrari's Mugello circuit nearly 70 times on Friday, at the wheel of a privately-owned 2007 Ferrari prepared by the team's 'F1 Clienti' division.

"It's a great thing getting back on the track with an F1 even if this was a car from 2007 from the F1 Clienti department with slicks usually used in GP2 and obviously there is no real point of reference," he is quoted as saying by the Ferrari website.

"After a couple of laps I was able to drive constant times and I'm happy with the performance. Now we've got to see how my body and the muscles respond in the next days," Schumacher added.

[EwanM]

Schumacher can win race - Webber

Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has what it takes to win a race when he comes out of retirement.

The German will drive for Ferrari while Felipe Massa recovers from a crash and will return at the European Grand Prix.

"Michael is a world class driver, he'll be back and he'll win a race, I think he'll win a race this year," Webber told BBC Sport's Inside F1 programme.

"He's a ferocious competitor - he'll be a force, no question about it."

He added: "It's a great challenge for him again.

"He's had a few years out but he's been occupying himself fantastically with other sports, one being motorbikes and he's been riding those pretty quick.

"So, he's going to be in pretty good shape."

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton is delighted to be able to pit himself against one of the best drivers in the history of the sport, saying it will be "an honour and a privilege" to race against Schumacher.

"He is one of the sport's greatest competitors, a legend - it'd be great to compete against him," said Hamilton.

"The whole world will be watching his return to the cockpit in Valencia."

Schumacher, 40, retired at the end of 2006 but has remained closely involved with Ferrari.

The German will now cover for his former team-mate Massa while the Brazilian recovers from the serious injuries he suffered when he crashed in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, which was won by Hamilton.

The English driver has previously spoken of his regret at never having had an opportunity to go head to head with Schumacher, but at the next grand prix, on the street circuit in Valencia, he will finally get his chance.

"It will not only be fascinating to see how he readies himself for his grand prix comeback, but also an honour and a privilege to race against him for the very first time. I wish him well," added Hamilton.

This season's championship leader Jenson Button also said he was pleased at Schumacher's return.

"Everyone is saying he can only lose because if he wins it will be expected, and if he doesn't, they'll say he's lost it," said Button.

"It's a tough position for him to be in but I'm happy he's taken up the challenge and it's very brave of him.

"He's still young - 40 is not old and he'll still be competitive.

Brawn driver Button leads the championship by 18.5 points after a sensational start to the season, winning six of the first seven races.

But he has gone off the boil recently, without a podium place in the last three races, and at the next race he will also have Schumacher to contend with.

And Button does not expect the man who has already won 91 grands prix to just to make up the numbers.

"His reactions will still be there and I'm sure he's fit enough," he said.

"He tested in winter and was quick, he jumped in and on the first run he was competitive."

Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen said he is looking forward to working alongside Schumacher.

"If it really happens I will be happy to partner him, even though it may not have much effect on my own performance," said the 30-year-old Finn, who was the 2007 Formula One world champion.

Since retiring from racing, Schumacher has remained in touch with the sport as well as taking part in motorcycle racing.

However, he suffered neck and back injuries in a bike accident in February and must now go through a rigorous training regime to prove his fitness.

"I hope he's up to it physically and he can pass the tests that must be administered for the neck muscles, which he hasn't used in a while," said Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

"But already, the entire team is working to prepare him. On Friday, he'll have his first tests on the track."

The Valencia circuit has been modified since Schumacher retired, while the ban on in-season testing could also count against the F1 legend, who must rely on Ferrari's simulators to prepare him for his first drive in a 2009 specification Ferrari.

"This will be a big problem, at least for the first race, because he's going to find himself on a circuit he's never driven on, with a car he's never driven, and with technology he doesn't know," Montezemolo said.

"But, unfortunately, this is the price we have to pay."
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1 ... 176799.stm

If anyone wants to watch the show it can be found here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 176799.stm

Interesting answers from Webber. He seems like Fernando, Robert and Jenson.

[EwanM]

FOTA vice-chairman John Howett has confirmed that eight of the ten formula one teams are happy if Michael Schumacher conducts a one-off test at the wheel of Felipe Massa's F60 Ferrari.

Sir Frank and Patrick are probably holding out for revenge on "Adelaide 1994".

VJ who knows...?

[AKR]

Sky news have just shown a clip this morning of M.S driving the 2007 Ferarri around their test circuit, looked very quick

And what a great sight it would of been. Like the good old times, the greatest F1 driver from Germany in the greatest F1 car from Italy. I have dreamed for so long just for Schumi do do it just one more time after he retired and he has or more correctly will be about to. I am going to enjoy the next few races. Even if Schumi doesn't win. Just watching him will be like no other.................................

At least you've come to terms with the fact he's not going to win....

Prob best to add in there that you don't care if he finishes last....

...behind the force india's...

...3 laps down....

....and limps out of the car...

...complaining of back pain.

....and has to be put in a wheel chair and taken back to the old drivers retirement home.

Let me put it to you striaght. 2009 isn't Ferrari's year and like with all sports, the same team or person cannot always win. Ferrari has won plenty in recent years like an amazing 8 out of 10 constructors championships and 6 out of 10 drivers championships, 5 belonging to Schumacher himself. As far as F1 is concerned Schumi is my idol and will always be. Even if Alonso comes along for example and wins for Ferrari. It will not be the same. Schumacher was the man who brang the greatest team to ever exist in F1 and for that matter in the motor racing world from greatness to absolute superioty and infinte greatness. No one can and will ever be Michael Schumacher. Seeing the legend race just one more time will fullfill my longtime dream. If he wins that will be a bonus. Oh and although it doesn't concern me if he dosen't win, I will look forward to him beating overrated and clearily inferior to Schmucaher, Lewis Hamilton. And remember for it to count it has to be a fair fight. If either one experiences say a technical failure or someone else puts them out, it doesn't or will not count. Otherwise Schumacher will beat Hamilton. In fact shouldn't be any harder than when he could beat some easy crap driver like his ex team mate Rubens Barrichello. The should be about Hamiltons level no?

[AKR]

AKR probably has posters of MS all over her bedroom...

I have one poster of him actually. And also one of his 2000 world championship winning Ferrari. Otherwise I have a girlie bedroom.

[Denthúl]

AKR probably has posters of MS all over her bedroom...

I have one poster of him actually. And also one of his 2000 world championship winning Ferrari. Otherwise I have a girlie bedroom.

Really? I honestly wouldn't have expected it! >.<

[Gaz]

Sky news have just shown a clip this morning of M.S driving the 2007 Ferarri around their test circuit, looked very quick

And what a great sight it would of been. Like the good old times, the greatest F1 driver from Germany in the greatest F1 car from Italy. I have dreamed for so long just for Schumi do do it just one more time after he retired and he has or more correctly will be about to. I am going to enjoy the next few races. Even if Schumi doesn't win. Just watching him will be like no other.................................

At least you've come to terms with the fact he's not going to win....

Prob best to add in there that you don't care if he finishes last....

...behind the force india's...

...3 laps down....

....and limps out of the car...

...complaining of back pain.

....and has to be put in a wheel chair and taken back to the old drivers retirement home.

Let me put it to you striaght. 2009 isn't Ferrari's year and like with all sports, the same team or person cannot always win. Ferrari has won plenty in recent years like an amazing 8 out of 10 constructors championships and 6 out of 10 drivers championships, 5 belonging to Schumacher himself. As far as F1 is concerned Schumi is my idol and will always be. Even if Alonso comes along for example and wins for Ferrari. It will not be the same. Schumacher was the man who brang the greatest team to ever exist in F1 and for that matter in the motor racing world from greatness to absolute superioty and infinte greatness. No one can and will ever be Michael Schumacher. Seeing the legend race just one more time will fullfill my longtime dream. If he wins that will be a bonus. Oh and although it doesn't concern me if he dosen't win, I will look forward to him beating overrated and clearily inferior to Schmucaher, Lewis Hamilton. And remember for it to count it has to be a fair fight. If either one experiences say a technical failure or someone else puts them out, it doesn't or will not count. Otherwise Schumacher will beat Hamilton. In fact shouldn't be any harder than when he could beat some easy crap driver like his ex team mate Rubens Barrichello. The should be about Hamiltons level no?

No.

Schui will simply see a silvery, red yellowey and black blurr and then the lovely rear end of the MP4/24.

Then he'll see a Silvery, red, gray and black blurr and he'll be behind another MP4/24

[EwanM]

Kiki you need to get out more.

[AKR]

Kiki you need to get out more.

I do. I am hardly ever home. It is a bit obvious don't you think given since my return to Europe I have hardly been on this forum at all. Cannot say the same for a few people that come to mind who are clearly glued to this forum 24/7. I can post anything anti Hamilton or McLaren and be guarenteed to know who will respond and within just a few hours...............

[EwanM]

Kiki you need to get out more.

I do. I am hardly ever home. It is a bit obvious don't you think given since my return to Europe I have hardly been on this forum at all. Cannot say the same for a few people that come to mind who are clearly glued to this forum 24/7. I can post anything anti Hamilton or McLaren and be guarenteed to know who will respond and within just a few hours...............

Oh yes of course because your a Ferrari supporter, and Ferrari supporters know best. Because Ferrari supporters were made out of God's good cloth and Ferrari supporters are blessed with the testicles of an ox or the vagina of a swan....

And yes Michael Schumacher will be able to turn up to any race track, even if he was to loose both of his legs and hands in a skydiving accident, and still win BECAUSE he's Michael Schumacher, and he drives for Ferrari, who have the testicles of an ox or the vagina of a swan....

[AKR]

No.

Schui will simply see a silvery, red yellowey and black blurr and then the lovely rear end of the MP4/24.

Then he'll see a Silvery, red, gray and black blurr and he'll be behind another MP4/24

Allow me to correct this one za tebe.

Here we go......

No.

Schui will simply see a silvery, red yellowey and black blurr and then the lovely rear end of the MP4/24.

Then he'll see what was a Silvery, red, gray and black blurr go straight into the wall at the end of the straight of an even lovelier rear end of a crashed MP4/24.

[Gaz]

Kiki you need to get out more.

I do. I am hardly ever home. It is a bit obvious don't you think given since my return to Europe I have hardly been on this forum at all. Cannot say the same for a few people that come to mind who are clearly glued to this forum 24/7. I can post anything anti Hamilton or McLaren and be guarenteed to know who will respond and within just a few hours...............

[EwanM]

Schmi will see my size ten and a half boot up his backside.