All F1 fan must be disappointed. Michael Schumacher said Tuesday he is calling off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering injuries from a motorcycling crash earlier this year.
The seven-time world champion planned to fill in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa and hoped to return at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, later this month.
However, Schumacher said on his Web site he informed top Ferrari officials on Monday evening that "unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe."
Schumacher, 40, retired at the end of the 2006 season. Since then, he has raced occasionally in a motorcycling series but was injured in a crash in February.
"The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe," Schumacher said. "That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula One yet.
"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible. However, much to my regret it didn't work out," he added.
"Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck" which arose after he tested an old Ferrari at the Mugello circuit in Italy, Schumacher said.
The German won 91 races in 250 starts.
"I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me," Schumacher said.
"All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."
Schumacher's statement did not say who Ferrari might turn to as a driver instead.
Last week Schumacher said he was slimming down for the race, but complained of some neck pain.
"I only have to admit that my neck pinches a bit. We have to get a grip on that as health has priority - that's the clear arrangement made with Ferrari and, by the way, with my wife, too," Schumacher said.
Ferrari Point out Driver Test Luca Badoer
Meanwhile, to fill up Massa seat, Ferrari point out Luca Badoer, an Italian test driver.
Ferrari says Italian Luca Badoer will replace Michael Schumacher at this month's European Grand Prix at Valencia after the seven-time world champion called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback.
Badoer is a Ferrari test driver whose name was first floated by Italian media after Felipe Massa's crash took him off the race circuit.
Schumacher, 40, agreed to drive in Massa's place, but announced Tuesday he canceled his return to F1 as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycling accident earlier this year. He says he informed Ferrari officials Monday evening that he would not be able to step in for Massa.
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