Formula One legend Niki Lauda has welcomed the return of Michael Schumacher to the sport and claims the German “regretted” retiring in the first place.
Lauda knows what it takes to make a comeback as he spent three years in retirement, having raced for Ferrari, before returning to the track again in 1982. The Austrian won the third grands prix of that season, and went on to claim the third of his world titles, with McLaren, in 1984.
“He was never able to detox himself of the racing bug, as we have seen with his on-track motorcycle activities,” said Lauda. “In my opinion he retired at the end of the 2006 season because he couldn’t see a real challenge – and probably he regretted his decision.
“Now he’s got the unique chance to step in for the injured Massa to help his former team, and to find out for himself how competitive he still is.” Guardian.co.uk
“This is something that would also interest me, because this hunger for competition – for the adrenalin rush – never dies. It’s in our DNA. And the situation as it is now at Ferrari, with a recovering Massa and an available cockpit, gives him the chance to explore how far he is off the top.”
“That is a question that always puzzles a top driver like he was. For Michael it’s nothing more than an interesting experiment.”
Although now 40, Schumacher proved his fitness by completing a day of testing in a 2007 Ferrari a week ago. The only concern for the seven-times world champion is whether his neck, injured in a bike accident in Spain in February, can withstand the rigours of a full grand prix weekend.
That will be determined next week when Schumacher undergoes tests, with 60-year-old Lauda adding: “Forget about the age. He is fit, he’s undergoing rigorous training, and mentally he is taking up the challenge. He will do everything possible to be fit as a fiddle in Valencia. Independent
“Look, he was able to put in a whole day in the old car in Mugello a few days ago,” he noted.
“Basically, he has to focus mainly on the muscles that are called on in an F1 car – and, of course, the neck – but that should be manageable in the next two weeks.”
Lauda added that Schumacher was returning with different motives and objectives from those that inspired his own F1 comeback in 1982.
“I actually won the second race back after my retirement, but Michael is not racing for any championship,” said the Austrian.
“I came back because I wanted to win, if my comeback was successful.
“For Michael it’s nothing more than an interesting experiment.” ITV
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