The F1 Thread 2009 Season

Schumi cancels comeback
Injury end former world champion's bid to return
By Tony Curtis Last updated: 11th August 2009

Schumacher: Has called off his return

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has called off his Formula One comeback due to injury.

Schumacher had been tempted out of retirement by Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa after the Brazilian suffered a fractured skull and brain concussion at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

However Schumacher has now admitted that a neck injury, caused by a bike accident, will prevent him making a remarkable comeback to the sport.

Speaking on his official website, the 40-year-old confirmed: "Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe.

Disappointed
"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out.

"Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible."

Schumacher suffered "fractures in the area of head and neck" in the accident in February.

And the German driver admitted that he had been left disappointed by the fact he will now not be able to race.

"I am disappointed to the core," he said.

"I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power."
 
His and Ferrari's wording has been interesting to say the least. ABC in Australia have noted that he's only postponed his comeback. I guess he'll make a decision about Spa after Valencia. He may continue to train in the following weeks and see how it all pans out. If he tests today as planned then it may be still on, but if not then I guess its over.

Either way, it was always up in the air. The question about his neck kept the move skeptical to say the least.
 
Reading up on Schumachers condition, he probably won't race this year & even then, any sort of comeback would be 50/50. Apparently he's very lucky to be walking after his Feb crash and his skull base fracture is in a bit of limbo at the moment.
 
marchi-91 said:
His and Ferrari's wording has been interesting to say the least. ABC in Australia have noted that he's only postponed his comeback. I guess he'll make a decision about Spa after Valencia. He may continue to train in the following weeks and see how it all pans out. If he tests today as planned then it may be still on, but if not then I guess its over.

Either way, it was always up in the air. The question about his neck kept the move skeptical to say the least.
Click to expand...

Maybe ole Shuey's coming round to your house Marchi and will talk it over with his best mate :D

Two things here

How on earth does he know only now he's got a problem ? - he must have known this right from the off ?

Just to speculate it could be that he's realised he'll get never away with any of the shenanigans and strokes he always used to get away with and so thought better of it :smirk:
 
Jopub said:
Maybe ole Shuey's coming round to your house Marchi and will talk it over with his best mate :D

Two things here

How on earth does he know only now he's got a problem ? - he must have known this right from the off ?

Just to speculate it could be that he's realised he'll get never away with any of the shenanigans and strokes he always used to get away with and so thought better of it :smirk:
Click to expand...

He's known he's had a problem all along. The difference is, he's not driven with high G loading so the problem has been very minor and not considered a real issue. Just something to work on. If anything It's an issure of more prep time. If they can sort it out, he may be back for Spa or Monza, if not then I don't see him racing unless its for the last round in Abu Dhabi.
 
Jopub said:
Maybe ole Shuey's coming round to your house Marchi and will talk it over with his best mate :D

Two things here

How on earth does he know only now he's got a problem ? - he must have known this right from the off ?

Just to speculate it could be that he's realised he'll get never away with any of the shenanigans and strokes he always used to get away with and so thought better of it :smirk:
Click to expand...

Ferrari said right from the off that the comeback would only happen if the neck problem was under control. He has known it since the Superbike crash but never tested out how it feels under extreme g-forces. Apparently it's too much pressure for the neck so he can't complete a Grand Prix weekend.

Not going to comment that last part, it's getting rather boring. :boring:
 
Fernando Alonso will move from Renault to Ferrari next year and spark a cascade of other driver changes, according to McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh.

The double world champion's expected switch is an open secret in Formula 1, but Whitmarsh is the first senior figure publicly to acknowledge it.

"I think we all know that the Fernando-Ferrari move has a knock-on effect that ripples through the other teams," he said.

Ferrari said Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were already contracted for 2010.
 
Badoer out in 1st qualifying, about a second and a half behind anyone else in the Ferrari, 3 seconds behind Kimi. A car he's driven before in his role as tester. Obviously you don't expect him to be right up there like maybe Schumacher, but that's shite, sorry

He might be a danger on the track come race day...
 
Brad said:
Badoer out in 1st qualifying, about a second and a half behind anyone else in the Ferrari, 3 seconds behind Kimi. A car he's driven before in his role as tester. Obviously you don't expect him to be right up there like maybe Schumacher, but that's shite, sorry

He might be a danger on the track come race day...
Click to expand...

He should be replaced for Spa.

There is a reason why he's a test driver.
 
To be fair to Badoer he has never driven this years car, testers have been sitting around twiddling their thumbs since 2008 I think. I am no Ferrari fan but it is actually a disgrace to see a Ferrari driver that far off the pace without issues, I mean come on there has to be a driver out there they could have found at short notice better than Badoer who was hardly good when he race full time.

Good pole for Lewis though, I think the 2 McLarens will walk it tomorrow and its all about Button vs Red Bull's.
 
I think the BBC were suggesting thats the first time Ferrari have ever qualified last in an F1 race. Presumably ignoring things like being sent to the back of the grid or having to start there because of a new gearbox or something

Sounds far fetched but if true... well fair fecks Ferrari for having that record last so long!
 
Steady on fuel adjusted he is probably 2nd or 3rd quickest in Quali and he is on the clean side of the grid for the race. Personally I think he will be passed by Raikkonen off the start with KERS but he should be able to battle Vettel which is good for his championship hopes and if he finds himself anywhere near Barrichello come the end of the race I fancy the old switch is back on again.

Kovalianen will hold up Barrichello and Hamilton will race off, I think. Tyres might not last long though abit like Monaco so it will be more interesting than last years race here anyway I think.
 
Brad said:
I think the BBC were suggesting thats the first time Ferrari have ever qualified last in an F1 race. Presumably ignoring things like being sent to the back of the grid or having to start there because of a new gearbox or something

Sounds far fetched but if true... well fair fecks Ferrari for having that record last so long!
Click to expand...
I'm sure Luca will be proud to hold that mantle. Along with the most races without a point.
 
It is the first time a Ferrari has qualified last on speed, obvioulsy there are times when they had issues or were sent to the back. I don't know whats more embarrasing really being at the back or being so slow he will probably be lapped inside half race distance.
 
Easy win for Barrichello coming up, Button needs to start worrying about his team mate now too, he has had a shit race this afternoon regardless of where he finishes, nowhere near his team mates pace in the first two stints.
 
Could of been a different result had Hamilton's last pit stop gone smoothly.

It'll be a different story in a week though, Brawn will struggle.
 
1 week.

Button needs to grow a pair, he is worrying too much about the championship and not enough about the race. 6th, 5th, 7th, 7th will not win you a title. Pace is in the car but by the time Jenson stops worrying about his title lead he is already down in 8th or 9th.

And I fear the Brawn wont be as competitive at Spa so its going to be alot closer than it looks right now.
 
Good race today. Just heard Whitmarsh on interview, he's a slimy little bugger aint he? Blamed the car and maybe even Hamilton for the team not winning the race, it'd have been close but clearly not having the fecking tyres out of their covers by the time the fuel had been put in the car lost more than 2 seconds and cost him the lead and the race. Really small time stuff from him that trying to shift the blame. Hamilton was far more conscientious and even gave the team a pat on the back afterwards, showed him in a good light did that because he had every right to be fecked off with them. Braun were faster and he may very well have won the race today

Can't begrudge Barrichello victory though, very likeable guy, hopefully that'll shut his whining up for the season though mind!

Button just had a rancid start, did ok after that, given the situation after 5 laps or so that was frankly the dream outcome for him in the end. Needs to improve though, because he clearly had a good car out there, missed opportunity
 
Brad said:
Good race today. Just heard Whitmarsh on interview, he's a slimy little bugger aint he? Blamed the car and maybe even Hamilton for the team not winning the race, it'd have been close but clearly not having the fecking tyres out of their covers by the time the fuel had been put in the car lost more than 2 seconds and cost him the lead and the race. Really small time stuff from him that trying to shift the blame. Hamilton was far more conscientious and even gave the team a pat on the back afterwards, showed him in a good light did that because he had every right to be fecked off with them. Braun were faster and he may very well have won the race today
Click to expand...

I reckon he would of had the race if that pitstop was smooth. He would of probably been about a second in front of Rubens & with a clear track in front of him. Based upon Hamilton's race pace at the start with a clear track in front of him, i reckon he would of had no problem finishing 1st.

I think Whitmarsh's comments is just to deflect some pressure off the guys in the pit lane. I think everyone knew who fecked up, but Whitmarsh knew Hamilton could take some role of blame on his shoulders should the need arise.

They'll be up there next weekend though I think, them & the Red Bulls (engines permitting!)
 
I thought his comments were to deflect pressure off himself personally

You screwed up. Admit to it. Move on

Otherwise, what have McClaren learnt from that today? That the system works? Erm, no
 
Probably my favourite track on the calender, absolutely love Spa, quite gutted that Kimi doesn't really have a the car to realistically challenge for the win, he is incredible around here.

Quali in 30 minutes, just flicked BBC on now, presenters in jackets so must be cold which is bad for Brawn, Jenson's luck seems to have run out!
 
Well he has to do only one thing going into this race now, all or nothing. No good driving around and finishing 10th, the car will be better in race trim and he may as well go for it in a big way on lap 1 and see where he ends up.
 
Fisichella :lol: Wow, what a session, how the feck is this race gonna pan out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.