Formula One news

Schumacher: It was never confirmed

Michael Schumacher held a press conference in Geneva on Wednesday in order to clarify the latest goings on surrounding both him and the Ferrari team. The German seven-time World Champion has stressed his disappointment at being unable to race in Valencia next weekend but wishes all the best to team-mate Luca Badoer.

With Schumacher, who was due to sit in the place of Felipe Massa, now also left on the sidelines with injuries, some believe that his fear for a lack of pace after a two and a half year break may have contributed to the Monday night decision of pulling out. "Speculation in this business is natural," Michael commented. "I'm very disappointed not to do what I was looking forward to doing and that is all I am really thinking about and have to digest right now."

Schumacher made the tough decision on Monday night

With Ferrari's options then being either of the reserve drivers, Luca Badoer or Marc Gené, the Scuderia elected to run the Italian in a race for the first time. "Luca is a very good friend," Schumacher continued. ""He has prepared himself quite strongly to be ready for all the years (since joining Ferrari as a test driver in 1998).

"He has always been ready and he has been working hard since Felipe's accident. I always said that I had to confirm if I could do it and that he has had to be ready; a racer doesn't lose the racing spirit - I wish him well for the difficult task ahead but if I think of anybody I think of Luca."

Michael concluded by putting in a word for his former Brazilian team-mate, who continues to recover at home in São Paulo. "At the time I gave him my cockpit I was tired and I wanted him to take over," the 40-year-old said of Massa. "It's good to see his progress and I am very happy about it."

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