Its Official! Ferrari Confirm Michael Schumacher will Replace Felipe Massa

Michael Schumacher

July 29, 2009 8:31 PM
Filed Under: F1

Michael Schumacher on Wednesday announced he is looking forward to the challenge of replacing his injured former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa at forthcoming grands prix.

"I met this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe," the 40-year-old German, who retired in 2006, said.

Schumacher hung up his helmet as a record-holding seven time world champion and winner of 91 grands prix and insists he has never regretted his decision.

"Though it is true that the formula one chapter was completely closed for me a long time ago, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore (this) unfortunate situation," he added.

"But as the competitor I am I also very much look forward to facing this challenge," said Schumacher.

Ferrari also confirmed the news, following reports in the respectively German and Swiss newspapers Bild and Blick.

The Italian team said it will enter Schumacher as the alternative competitor of Massa's car number 3 following a training programme for the German, who earlier this year hurt his neck in a motorcycle testing crash.

"I really can't tell you if his neck would be fine to drive an F1 race ... and remember he is a 40-year-old man, too," Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said on Tuesday.

Ferrari Statement

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro intends to put Michael Schumacher in Felipe Massa's car untill the brazilian driver will be able to race again. Michael Schumacher said he is ready and, over the next few days, will undertake a specifc training programme at the end of which confermation will be given of his participation in the Championship with effect from the European Grand Prix on the 23rd of August

Source: GMM

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Tags: Michael Schumacher, Scuderia Ferrari, Felipe Massa

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Comments

Bristol411S3

July 29, 2009 8:38 PM

So I was wrong. It'll be exciting though!

clinton

July 29, 2009 8:41 PM

To see Michael up against his supposed successor Kimi Raikkonen in the same car will be great.

FastLane

July 29, 2009 8:52 PM

This is going to be the 2nd best comeback ever, after the legend Michael Jordan.

kimbo

July 29, 2009 9:04 PM

I think third. The second one was Lance Armstrong.

Shyne

July 30, 2009 12:48 AM

doesnt matter..

he is back and eventhough i dont think (but hope) hell finish among the first three in valencia itll be a very nice show.

maybe a jordan-like comeback..would be nice.. if ferrari can get a seat for him..maybe at red bull...hmm..brawn...?! sorry..im just romancing..haha

rogers

July 29, 2009 8:53 PM

wow, I'm glad he's back, I really missed him.

eeoikari

July 29, 2009 8:55 PM

Nice to see him driving again! Somehow it feels that their car might get faster.

alessandro

July 29, 2009 9:06 PM

WoW!!!! But in other hand, in same scuderia with Räikkonen they need Stig, hahahaaa! And best possible wishes to F. Massa, get well soon, man!

MusTang

July 29, 2009 9:12 PM

I LOVE this season of F1........

TRANS_EUROKARS

July 29, 2009 9:13 PM

YAY he back!! really missed him.

one of the world best driver!

Shiparch

July 29, 2009 9:14 PM

This is great news. Just heard it on CNN and thought they were only following rumors. That was the best they could've done for Felipe (his seat will not be at risk), Michael, the team and F1.

thamzn

July 29, 2009 9:16 PM

Four Formula One Champions on the starting grid. Nice.

N20_Purge

July 29, 2009 9:20 PM

I am NOT missing F1 now....

X6M

July 30, 2009 1:57 AM

and that goes for me too...

eme7

July 29, 2009 9:21 PM

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICE :) now I want to see the tv transmitions jiji

chris25

July 29, 2009 9:41 PM

Just wait for the green light guys, so don't keep your hopes high because anything can happen, who knows Felipe Massa could come back since he can open his swollen eyes or Marc Gene could drive in his seat.

claude1225us

July 29, 2009 9:42 PM

Well the best wet weather Driver has return; i will be very excited to watch him again after these few years of abscent from the sport.

astroturf777

July 30, 2009 2:46 AM

yeah - love to see a wet weather dogfight between shum, ham and vettel...

adz612

July 29, 2009 10:08 PM

Ohhhhhh yeah!!! Things will get very interesting now. Welcome back Schumacher

McNamara68

July 29, 2009 10:09 PM

can't wait to see lewis kick his ass

X6M

July 30, 2009 2:01 AM

Don't worry, you will never see that.....

astroturf777

July 30, 2009 2:47 AM

surely the ferrari isnt THAT slow...

adz612

July 30, 2009 2:14 PM

y'know, now that lewis' car is up to speed, I think it'll make for great watching. I like both Hamilton and Schuey, so I'm looking forward to seeing those two battle it out on the blacktop

Edited by user on July 30, 2009 at 2:15 PM

Tashinga

July 29, 2009 10:15 PM

Awesome, Felipe is recovering and in the mean-time The Greatest Of All Time is back! Man this is Good News! Schumi vs Kimi vs Lewis vs Fernando vs Jenson. This is going to be one hell of a season!

scratchy996

July 29, 2009 10:21 PM

Some say Schumi was born ready and that he broke the Pope's wrist in an arm wrestling game.

Shyne

July 30, 2009 1:06 AM

lol cant wait for the top gear crew to comment on it

sw1000

July 29, 2009 10:32 PM

This is going to be FANTASTIC, Hamilton/Raikkonen/Schumacher/Alonso/Button & Vettel all racing each other, this is going to be amazing!!!.

I never got into F1 until 2007 so didn't really appreciate how good schumacher was even though it was always on the news, the first ever race I saw was in australia 2007 as I was out in Melbourne I decided to support the new british kid on the block not knowing anything about the sport.

I was hooked!!!!

First race and he got 3rd, now I'm up on my F1 history I'm looking foward to seeing Lewis race against Shumacher

Edited by user on July 29, 2009 at 10:34 PM

abugatti

July 29, 2009 10:57 PM

the one is back!! stig is back!!!

catchmyshadow

July 29, 2009 11:22 PM

welcome back Schumi!!

EMBJATI85

July 30, 2009 12:23 AM

schumi hes my idol

Tashinga

July 30, 2009 12:35 AM

Will Schumi feature in this season's F1 video game as well. If he will can't wait to get my hands on it!

astroturf777

July 30, 2009 2:49 AM

i remember when he broke his leg in silverstone the f1 game that year included the substitute in simulator mode so fingers crossed

Shyne

July 30, 2009 12:50 AM

...and it would be nice if hed appear in a white overal to rep the stig family :)

Turkey

July 30, 2009 2:21 AM

its a good new after massa's surgery

astroturf777

July 30, 2009 2:50 AM

i think tickets to the next few races will start to sell...

WildMaverick1200

July 30, 2009 3:20 AM

Ow, yeah!!!

Now Jenson Button has a really good reason to worry. This is gonna be hot.

Shiparch

July 30, 2009 3:30 AM

I grew up watching Schumi winning races, so as a fan this is great but came under unfortunate circumstances. I am not expecting any podiums from him but I'm very happy to see him at the grid running a Ferrari once again.

This is what Michael said on his website: "Though it is true that the chapter Formula 1 has been closed for me since long and completely, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation. But as the competitor I am I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."

joshg_5

July 30, 2009 5:00 AM

YES! This is AWESOME!

With all due respect to Massa, a Schumi come-back is the best thing that could've happened to F1 in this political era.

teuton

July 30, 2009 7:07 AM

Wilkommen zuruck Schumi!! Great to have him back!

trekkerbin

July 30, 2009 10:09 AM

It would be a lot of fun, I think : )

Jed

July 30, 2009 10:26 AM

Not sure his up to it. But should be interesting hope for his sake he doesnt get wipped.

douleny

July 30, 2009 1:03 PM

Now that will boost up the f1 spectators ratings!!!

Tashinga

July 30, 2009 1:38 PM

So when Schumi finishes, he hands over to Felipe and Kimi hands over to Fernando Alonso. The Scuderia's alive

911fnatic

July 30, 2009 4:56 PM

I'll bet most of you complained about his superiority when he was racing. Going to be great to see the legend return. I can't see Schumacher pottering around the track either...

schnitzerx

July 30, 2009 9:11 PM

no more STIG ?!?!?!?!

scratchy996

July 31, 2009 4:56 PM

some say The Stig can be in two places at the same time...

isaacu

August 4, 2009 5:34 PM

"Pop", "crackle", "fizzz"!.....the sounds of a Ferrari F1 race car on the over-run around Fiorano!!

Michael Schumacher is back!!!

His return is intriguing to us all. More than anything, watching how he develops the Ferrari 2009 will be an "eye-opener".

Forza Michael, Forza Ferrari, Forza Italia!!!