Formula One news

Schumacher injuries force cancellation of comeback

Michael Schumacher has announced that he will be calling off his Formula One comeback at the European Grand Prix next weekend. The seven-time World Champion was due to replace the injured Felipe Massa but has taken the decision not to fill the vacancy due to physical worries of his own.

Schumacher had been awaiting medical test results this week after damaging his neck in a motorcycle fall in Spain in February, although the German has been forced not to drive the 57-lap Grand Prix on the streets of Valencia.

Schumacher released his statement on Tuesday

'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,' Michael explained in the statement.

'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.

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. That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. This are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination yesterday afternoon. As there were no improvements after the day in Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to do that thorough examination already yesterday.

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. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races.'

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