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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fullerton,Ca
Posts: 5,463
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Schumcher to pull out!
(CNN) -- Michael Schumacher has called off his eagerly-anticipated Formula One comeback with Ferrari because he has not recovered from a neck injury he sustained in a motorcycling accident earlier this year.
Michael Schumacher has called off his much-anticipated return to Formula One. Schumacher was due to replace the injured Felipe Massa for the Italian team at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23, but announced on his personal Web site that these plans have now been scrapped. "Unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe," the statement read. The seven-time world champion added "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." The 40-year-old German was due to start a two-day test session on Tuesday at the Italian circuit of Mugello ahead of his return. An earlier one-day test behind the wheel of a 2007 Ferrari had given the first hints that Schumacher was struggling for fitness. Don't Miss Schumacher return hit by neck injury Williams block Schumacher test bid Schumacher visits Massa in hospital Schumacher to make F1 comeback Last week, he told his Web site www.michaelschumacher.de: "I only have to admit that my neck pinches a bit. We have to get a grip on that as health has priority -- that's the clear arrangement made with Ferrari and, by the way, with my wife, too," Reports in Italy's sport newspaper Gazzetto dello Sport say that Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer will now replace Massa in Valencia. Massa is recovering in Brazil from the serious injuries he received in a freak crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix and is set to miss at least four races. Schumacher has worked as a special adviser to Ferrari since his retirement from Formula One in 2006, after winning five championships during his time with the team to add to the two he won at Benetton. His seven world titles surpass the five won by the Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio and his tally of 91 grand prix wins from 250 races is also a record. Schumacher broke the news that he would not be returning to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali on Monday evening. His decision followed a further thorough examination of the extent of his neck injury. "I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out," he said. "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." E-mail to a friend Share this on: Mixx Digg del.icio.us MySpace StumbleUpon | Mixx it | Share
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" Formerly we suffered from crime. Today we suffer from laws" (55-120) Tacitus |
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08-11-2009, 12:49 AM
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Get off my lawn!
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It is probably a good thing. He is 40 years old. Like Brett Farve he is past his prime. There is little doubt he is a better driver than 99% of the drivers in the world. He would have to compete against that last one tenth of one percent of the best of the best.
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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08-11-2009, 05:16 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 14,093
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Good for him.
It would have been "easy" to jump back into the limelight to maybe be a hero. I like that he puts his own health above the racing.
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1981 911SC ROW SOLD - JULY 2015 Pacific Blue Wayne |
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08-11-2009, 05:23 AM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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This could have been disastrous for Michael. I'm not saying he isn't a good driver: he certainly is. He just might not be as good as he used to be, or the current setup of F1 cars might not play so well into his driving style, or the net talent of current F1 drivers is better than it used to be...
It would have been bad for Michael's legacy for him to come back and be a backmarker. I'm not saying that's what would have happened, just at this point his legacy is more important than his current driving talent and he shouldn't risk his legacy.
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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08-11-2009, 05:33 AM
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Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
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Bummer. I wanted to see his drive an F1 car one more time.
Granted he wouldn't be as good as he used to be but would problably still be better than anyone else on the planet. |
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08-11-2009, 05:38 AM
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Sounds like Renault will certainly get probation and get to race in Spain. Otherwise, nobody will show up.
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2014 Cayman S (track rat w/GT4 suspension) 1979 930 (475 rwhp at 0.95 bar) |
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08-11-2009, 07:49 AM
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Checked out
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: On a beach
Posts: 10,127
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I suspected all along it would never happen, some "issue" would come up and it would be off. It never made any sense.
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08-11-2009, 11:58 AM
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Carrera
1979 Porsche 930 3.4
