While the world went wild, the wheels were quietly being set in motion for Michael Schumacher’s return.
The governing body granted, without demur, the Super Licence he requires to make his Formula One comeback. Maybe the FIA heard the boy had done a bit in his youth.
Back in his Swiss gym, the seven-time world champion was working off what little fat nearly three years of retirement puts on a driver who took sports science within his profession to uncharted levels.
Then, on Thursday afternoon, he flew off to Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters for a seat fitting. And, probably today (Friday), it is believed, he will start his in-car acclimatisation in the 2007 model at the Scuderia’s Mugello track.
Lewis Hamilton, the world champion who took to the Formula One grid in the race after Schumacher’s curtain call in Brazil in October 2006, said: ‘Michael is a legend in his own right and it would be great to compete against him. The whole world will be watching his return to the cockpit in Valencia. It will not only be fascinating to see how he readies himself for his grand prix comeback, but also an honour and a privilege to race against him for the very first time.
‘I was once asked which former driver I’d most like to drive against and I went for Michael. I don’t agree with all his controversial moves but as a competitor there was nobody better.’ Daily Mail
Schumacher is widely regarded as the sport’s greatest champion and Lauda, who won three world titles, hopes his comeback will take attention away from the political rows that have dragged F1 through the gutter in recent months.
Former World Champion Niki Lauda, 60, said: “Michael’s return is great news. He will be the saviour of Formula One after what we’ve gone through this year with all the politics. Then we had BMW pulling out with Honda having gone.
“Schumacher coming back is the best thing to happen to F1. And he will still be quick and still be competitive even though he has not raced since 2006. He is just too good not to make an impact on his return.” Times of India
The world championship leader, Jenson Button, has praised Michael Schumacher’s “bravery” in opting to return to the Ferrari team as stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa at the European grand prix at Valencia on 23 August and possibly for the rest of the season.
“It’s a tough position for him to be in,” said Button in Birmingham this evening, “although I’m happy he’s taken up the challenge. It’s very brave of him.”
The Brawn team driver, who is 10 years younger than Schumacher, does not believe that the seven-time world champion’s age is an issue. “He is still young,” said Button. “Forty is not old and he will still be competitive. It will be good to have Michael out there racing again.”
However, he added: “There are very good people out there racing at the moment, but to have Michael again will be very special although I’m sure we all wish that Felipe was out there also… In a way Ferrari are very lucky because they’ve someone working in their team who can jump straight into the car and be competitive, and Michael will be.” Guardian.co.uk
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