The manager of Michael Schumacher has moved to play down speculation surrounding the fitness of the 40-year old driver, ahead of his Formula One return later this month.
Earlier this week Schumacher’s spokewoman, Sabine Kehm, had revealed that the seven-time world champion would be required to pass stringent medical and fitness tests before confirming his return to the cockpit.
However in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, Willi Weber has dismissed Schumacher’s fitness concerns, claiming that preparations for the German’s return are already well underway.
“It is pure speculation to say that Michael will not drive in Valencia,†Weber said. “We are making all preparations for the fact that he will be there.”
On Thursday, Schumacher completed his second consequence day of karting, alongside Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, at the Italian circuit in Lonato.
“Arms, upper body, shoulders, neck – an excellent practice indeed,” he told his official website. “In the next days I will keep practicing at home.”
