No Fairy Tale for Michael Schumacher

Despite rumours to the contrary, the seven-time World Champion, and man who many regard as the greatest Formula One driver in history, will not make a surprise return to Ferrari.

Since Felipe Massa suffered the horror accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the rumour mill has been in overdrive suggesting that the “iceman” was to make a shock re-entry to the highest level of motorsport.

The German still remains on the prancing horse’s payroll, earning four million pounds a year as an technical advisor and ambassador, befitting his status as the constructor’s record holding driver.

However, the close friend of Massa last raced in a Grand Prix in October 2006, and has not even tested a Formula One car in well over a year.

Schumacher, now 40, also injured his shoulder earlier this year on a motor cycle, and by his own admission would be far from being in the physical condition that he was famed for. 

The ruthless legend was said to be the fittest man on the circuit, and no doubt he would have scaled back his impressive fitness regime since hanging up his helmet nearly three years ago.

Schumacher’s manager Willi Weber confirmed that there would not be a sudden return.

After having talks with the German on Monday in Geneva, it was confirmed that whoever sits in the famous red car at Valencia, will not be Ferrari’s most decorated hero.

“I am not 100 percent sure, I am 200 percent sure,” Weber said.

The decision in hindsight was quite easy to understand.

Schumacher was regarded as possibly the most methodical and calculating race driver the world had ever seen, meticulous in his preparations and spending inane amounts of time consulting with technical staff in ensuring that the set up of his fearsome red machine was perfect.

A sudden return, despite the circumstances, would see huge pressure on the German to win, most of all from him; and in effect as Weber said, this would be a gamble.

And that is not the style of the iceman.

For Massa, while reports continue to reveal that his condition improves by the day, it appears that his racing career may be over, with serious damage to his left eye preventing him from ever being behind the wheel of the high performance Formula One racing cars.

Spanish test driver Marc Gene is scheduled to take part in testing in Italy, a possible cursor to him being named as a short term replacement for the Brazilian.

Massa, the runner up to the 2008 championship, ironically scored his first ever Formula One podium at the Nurburgring, finishing behind then Ferrari teammate Schumacher. 

He was scheduled to remain with Scuderia Ferrari till 2010, but it appears now that the eleven time race winner, and former Sauber driver has unfortunately raced his last race.