FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

Hamilton had a sore neck, which, though painful, is not quite in the same league as Schumacher injuring his neck in a motorbike accident.

Anyway, more news on Schumacher's comeback, from autosport.com:

Doubts linger over Schumacher fitness

By Simon Strang Wednesday, August 5th 2009, 17:55 GMT

Michael Schumacher's return to Formula 1 in Valencia later this month remains subject to a medical clearance after his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm revealed that concerns linger over the strength of his neck.

The seven-time world champion was injured in a motorcycle testing accident earlier this year, and Kehm admitted that until he had been given the all-clear there was still a possibility that he may not race in the European Grand Prix on August 23.

"It is not sure yet the neck will hold and the comeback can be started," Kehm said on Wednesday.

"It depends on medical investigations. Only after those will it be clear whether he will be able to drive."

Schumacher has already spent a day testing a two-year-old F2007 Ferrari F1 car at Mugello, using GP2 slicks, and claims to have lost 3kg in training as he prepares to stand in for the injured Felipe Massa in Spain.

The 40-year-old continued his build up today by going karting with Ferrari's regular test driver Luca Badoer.

"Karting has a very good training effect, that is why today I just jumped into a testing day of the Tony Kart Team in Lonato," he told his website. "There is nothing better for my preparations at the moment - in terms of steering wheel forces for example Karting is even more difficult than F1.

"And the fact that it has been boiling hot here is simulating the temparatures expected for Valencia. Luca is with me, and together we found again today that karting is just an awful lot of fun."

Kehm added that it was always going to be the case that Schumacher would only race if he was deemed fit enough to do so: "From the very beginning it was made clear Michael would require medical checks. It is normal.

"Michael is fully geared up, and fully on it. He has been for a week now. But he is a human being, and we have to make sure everything is fine."

[bud]

amen to the steering effect in Karting

[scotty]

Brawn not ruling out Schumacher win

By Pablo Elizalde Thursday, August 6th 2009, 12:45 GMT

Ross Brawn says he is convinced Michael Schumacher could win a race this season if the Ferrari is competitive enough.

The seven-time world champion is set to return to racing action at the European Grand Prix later this month, when he will replace the injured Felipe Massa for at least that race.

Schumacher has not driven this year's F60 car and he hasn't raced at the Valencia street circuit before.

But Brawn, who masterminded Schumacher's titles at Ferrari before the German retired, is sure the former champion will be competitive.

"I'm convinced he will be [strong]," Brawn told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I still remember the great race he did in Brazil in 2006.

"Of course it's obvious that he has to familiarise himself with the car, but I'm sure that if he doesn't win one of the remaining races of the season it will not be his fault, but because Ferrari is not in a winning position."

He added: "For him, after Massa's terrible accident, it was natural to say yes given the state of need of his old team. In my opinion there is also another aspect to consider: the fact that this is for a limited time.

"I mean, Michael returns with his usual determination and seriousness, but above all with the intention of having fun. Personally, I admit I'm excited and can't wait to see him at work."

Brawn reckons the slick tyres should be the biggest unknown for Schumacher, but the team boss believes not even that will pose a big problem for the German driver.

"Formula 1 has not changed much in terms of driving," Brawn said. "The biggest thing Michael will face is the slick tyres. But this is not a disadvantage because these tyres make the behaviour of the car more predictable.

"It's true he doesn't know Valencia, but the simulator will have helped him."

What a fanboy, saying it'll be Ferrari's fault if he doesn't win!!

[EwanM]

Yes but some quarters refer to him as Ross "The Boss"... so he must be right...?

He isn't the real Boss though. There is only one.

[darwin dali]

Brawn not ruling out Schumacher win

By Pablo Elizalde Thursday, August 6th 2009, 12:45 GMT

Ross Brawn says he is convinced Michael Schumacher could win a race this season if the Ferrari is competitive enough.

The seven-time world champion is set to return to racing action at the European Grand Prix later this month, when he will replace the injured Felipe Massa for at least that race.

Schumacher has not driven this year's F60 car and he hasn't raced at the Valencia street circuit before.

But Brawn, who masterminded Schumacher's titles at Ferrari before the German retired, is sure the former champion will be competitive.

"I'm convinced he will be [strong]," Brawn told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I still remember the great race he did in Brazil in 2006.

"Of course it's obvious that he has to familiarise himself with the car, but I'm sure that if he doesn't win one of the remaining races of the season it will not be his fault, but because Ferrari is not in a winning position."

He added: "For him, after Massa's terrible accident, it was natural to say yes given the state of need of his old team. In my opinion there is also another aspect to consider: the fact that this is for a limited time.

"I mean, Michael returns with his usual determination and seriousness, but above all with the intention of having fun. Personally, I admit I'm excited and can't wait to see him at work."

Brawn reckons the slick tyres should be the biggest unknown for Schumacher, but the team boss believes not even that will pose a big problem for the German driver.

"Formula 1 has not changed much in terms of driving," Brawn said. "The biggest thing Michael will face is the slick tyres. But this is not a disadvantage because these tyres make the behaviour of the car more predictable.

"It's true he doesn't know Valencia, but the simulator will have helped him."

What a fanboy, saying it'll be Ferrari's fault if he doesn't win!!

Ross is probably not too far from the truth. Disclaimer: I like both, Ross and MS!

[7UpJordan]

Do you think Ross will give Ruby some old nightmares if Schumi comes up behind to race for position and then suddenly the words "move over Rubens think of the Championship" came over the radio?

[darwin dali]

Do you think Ross will give Ruby some old nightmares if Schumi comes up behind to race for position and then suddenly the words "move over Rubens think of the Championship" came over the radio?

I fail to see the logic here: how could Rubens think of the championship when he moves over for MS who is not in contention for the title?

[scotty]

He could just say "Michael is behind you Rubens, you know what to do" and he'd automatically move over, because that was a trigger sentence written into the computer chip they placed in Rubens' brain when he joined Ferrari.

[7UpJordan]

I fail to see the logic here: how could Rubens think of the championship when he moves over for MS who is not in contention for the title?

He could just say "Michael is behind you Rubens, you know what to do" and he'd automatically move over, because that was a trigger sentence written into the computer chip they placed in Rubens' brain when he joined Ferrari.

There's your answer.

[EwanM]

He could just say "Michael is behind you Rubens, you know what to do" and he'd automatically move over, because that was a trigger sentence written into the computer chip they placed in Rubens' brain when he joined Ferrari.

Oh god not more songs about Rubens!

[darwin dali]

I fail to see the logic here: how could Rubens think of the championship when he moves over for MS who is not in contention for the title?

He could just say "Michael is behind you Rubens, you know what to do" and he'd automatically move over, because that was a trigger sentence written into the computer chip they placed in Rubens' brain when he joined Ferrari.

There's your answer.

Ah, so you're saying RB is not thinking? Likely with that implanted chip in his mug!

[headless]

Hahah Bernie ecclstone being a tit said that he thinks Schumi might make a big shock announcemnt, and commit to many more years.
Then he said that Schumi was never boring.
Aparently he said that

Bernieman says lots of things.
Still an absolute legend.

#mmm not sure

That man is a Messiah!

No Schumi is

Na Schumi can't be, he still gets sore necks.

Lewis raced in Valenicia with a sore neck.

if schui don't hes weak.

WEAK!!

Hamilton is the black messiah.

He could just say "Michael is behind you Rubens, you know what to do" and he'd automatically move over, because that was a trigger sentence written into the computer chip they placed in Rubens' brain when he joined Ferrari.

Hahha, poor Rubens

[EwanM]

haha at first I thought the kart was levitating

[Gaz]

haha at first I thought the kart was levitating

it is schumacher can do that.

[Gilles 27]

maybe it's just the gravitational pull of his chin drawing it upwards...