Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michael Schumacher has not ruled out standing in for injured Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa although a comeback is highly unlikely, the retired champion's spokeswoman said today.
"In these circumstances he would want to consider it and not categorically say no," said Sabine Kehm.
The seven-times world champion's manager Willi Weber dismissed the possibility of the 40-year-old racing again, however.
"Michael will not sit in a car in Valencia. This is out of the question," he told Germany's SID news agency.
The next race is in Spain on 23 August but Massa could be out for much, if not all, of the rest of the season.
"What would we expect from Schumacher if he stepped into a Formula One car? To win. The expectations from both sides would be too high," said Weber.
He added that the German could possibly test cars in the future but that would as far as he would go: "For anything else it is a clear 'No'."
Kehm said her impression was that Schumacher, who retired after his last race with Ferrari in 2006, had no desire to get back behind the wheel.
"He always felt relief at not being part of it any more," she said. "I never felt a temptation on his side (to return)".
Schumacher, Formula One's most successful driver with 91 wins, is still a consultant to the Italian team with whom he won five titles and remains in good physical condition, working out regularly.
The German is however still recovering from a motorcycle accident in mid-February and his neck might not be up to the considerable stresses of a grand prix car.
Massa, last year's championship runner-up, fractured his skull in an accident during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday and remains in intensive care in a Budapest hospital.
The Brazilian, a close friend of Schumacher from their time together at Ferrari, was hit just above his left eye by a bouncing spring weighing almost a kilo that broke free from compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn car.
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, who visited Massa in hospital on Tuesday, declined to discuss who could replace Massa and said the team awaited his return.
"We said that we were waiting for him as soon as he will be back and that's his car," Domenicali told reporters.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments