Schumacher abandons F1 comeback

Source: www.crash.net

Michael Schumacher has decided against making a return to Formula One just over a week before he was due to rejoin Ferrari at the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

The seven-time world champion has cited lingering doubts over a neck injury as the reason for his decision.

Schumacher had been due to test for a further two days at Mugello in preparation for his return, but called time on his plans on the eve of his return to the cockpit of the 2007-spec Ferrari, which he had been running on GP2 slicks in a bid to get to grips with one of the areas of technology that have changed since his 2006 retirement. A bid to run a full 2009-spec machine, with its heavily revised aerodynamic package was denied by Williams and Red Bull last week.

Schumacher's neck injury is the result of a spill from a superbike in February, as he pursued his new-found love of bike racing in retirement from F1. The 40-year old suffered some discomfort after testing for the first time at Mugello ten days ago, but had hoped to be able to recover with treatment and fitness training between outings. However, lingering pain forced him to seek a second opinion on Monday [10 August] and, heeding advice from doctors, the German took the hard decision to end his comeback bid.

"Unfortunately, we did not manage to get a grip on the pain, which occurred after the private test day at Mugello," Schumacher revealed on his personal website, "As there were no improvements after the day at Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to get a thorough examination on Monday.

"Unfortunately, the consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February - fractures in the area of head and neck - turned out to be too severe for my neck to withstand the extreme stresses caused by F1. These are the clear results of the examinations we did in the course of the past two weeks and the final examination on Monday afternoon."

Schumacher's return, in place of Felipe Massa who was injured in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix two weekends ago, had been expected to swell the crowd at the second European GP in Valencia next Sunday [23 August], and had led to many of his potential rivals - some, like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, who had yet to race against him - to express their delight at his return.

"I am disappointed to the core," Schumacher admitted, "I am awfully sorry for the guys at Ferrari, and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me, but 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."

Ferrari has yet to reveal any candidates to replace Schumacher as Massa's stand-in.

Brawn not ruling out Schumacher win

Source : www.autosport.com
By Pablo Elizalde

Ross Brawn says he is convinced Michael Schumacher could win a race this season if the Ferrari is competitive enough.

The seven-time world champion is set to return to racing action at the European Grand Prix later this month, when he will replace the injured Felipe Massa for at least that race.

Schumacher has not driven this year's F60 car and he hasn't raced at the Valencia street circuit before.

But Brawn, who masterminded Schumacher's titles at Ferrari before the German retired, is sure the former champion will be competitive.

"I'm convinced he will be [strong]," Brawn told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I still remember the great race he did in Brazil in 2006.

"Of course it's obvious that he has to familiarise himself with the car, but I'm sure that if he doesn't win one of the remaining races of the season it will not be his fault, but because Ferrari is not in a winning position."

He added: "For him, after Massa's terrible accident, it was natural to say yes given the state of need of his old team. In my opinion there is also another aspect to consider: the fact that this is for a limited time.

"I mean, Michael returns with his usual determination and seriousness, but above all with the intention of having fun. Personally, I admit I'm excited and can't wait to see him at work."

Brawn reckons the slick tyres should be the biggest unknown for Schumacher, but the team boss believes not even that will pose a big problem for the German driver.

"Formula 1 has not changed much in terms of driving," Brawn said. "The biggest thing Michael will face is the slick tyres. But this is not a disadvantage because these tyres make the behaviour of the car more predictable.

"It's true he doesn't know Valencia, but the simulator will have helped him."

Button sets personal best in triathlon

Source : www.autosport.com
By Pablo Elizalde

Championship leader Jenson Button recorded a personal best at the London triathlon on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Briton set a time of two hours, seven minutes and two seconds over the Olympic distance, which included a 1.5-km swim, 40km on a bike, and 10km running.

"I had to wake up at 4am to get here this morning and I loved it - it has been my best ever Sunday morning," said Button.

"I enjoyed it today, it's such an amazing event, it's so big and it's great that triathlon is doing so well in the UK. I hope that its growth continues."

Button was joined by 125cc rider Bradley Smith, who finished some six minutes behind the Formula 1 driver.

"He did very well, he's a fit lad and so am I and it's great to show that at events like this," Smith said of Button.

"Our performance demonstrates that we do have to train hard to be an F1 driver or a MotoGP rider and that when we aren't racing, we aren't just at home sitting around and that we do have to be very fit in order to race at the level we do."

Over £3 million was raised for charity in the event, in which nearly 10,000 people took place.

Elegi Malam

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kala litani keagungan-Nya
menghias langit malam
melantunkan nada-nada surgawi
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mengalun di antara angin sepoi
hati berbisik dalam lirih
rindu jiwa bersatu dalam kalbu-Mu,
ya Tuhan ...
di batas elegi malam sunyi ....
26.07.09