F1: Confusion Reigns Over Potential Schumacher Comeback

[caption id="attachment_27352" align="aligncenter" width="555" caption="Schumacher with Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn."][/caption]

THE AGENT OF SEVEN-TIME World Champion Michael Schumacher has cast doubt over the prospect of a potential comeback only 24 hours after his personal assistant refused to rule it out.

Sabine Kehm revealed to the BBC on Tuesday that Schumacher would consider standing in for the injured Felipe Massa should the Italian outfit decide to approach him.

"The whole thing will be considered by Ferrari. If they approach Michael, then he will consider it. But there is no reason for him to step into their discussion,” she said.

Although Schumacher hasn’t driven a Formula One since 2007 and testing regulations prohibit teams from testing its current cars in-season, a loophole would allow the 40-year old to return to speed at the wheel of a 2008-spec Ferrari.

Any doubts surrounding Schumacher’s preparedness to return to the fold, albeit temporarily, would therefore hedge on his fitness, which is questionable after he injured his neck in a motorcycling accident earlier in the year.

Regarding his physical status, Kehm said: "Michael had a motorcycle accident in February when he had a neck problem - and I really can't tell you if his neck would be fine to drive an F1 race.

"If Ferrari asked him whether he would consider driving, he would have it checked - and remember he is a 40-year-old man, too."

[caption id="attachment_37500" align="aligncenter" width="555" caption="Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt."][/caption]

Schumacher’s long-time associate, Willi Weber, though has moved to quash speculation linking the German to a stunning return to Formula One, replacing his one-time mentee, Massa.

Weber said he was certain Schumacher would not be on the grid at Valencia in four weeks time.

"Whoever sits in the car at the next race in Valencia, it will not be Michael Schumacher. I am not 100 per cent sure; I am 200 per cent sure,” he told the Daily Mail.

"The pressure on him would be huge. He would be expected to win, but he has not driven this car. When Michael was racing he would get as close to perfection as possible. In this case, it would not be perfection; it would be a gamble - and that's not Michael's style."