Schumacher calls off Formula One comeback

Michael Schumacher has called off his Formula One comeback due to concerns over a neck injury.

Schumacher calls off F1 comeback

Legendary seven-time champion Michael Schumacher called off his highly anticipated return to the Formula One circuit on Tuesday, citing lingering injuries from a motorcycle crash earlier this year.

Brawn rules out Schumacher return

• Nico Rosberg confirmed as first nominated Mercedes driver• Fellow German driver Nick Heidfeld likely to join RosbergMichael Schumacher's return to Formula One was effectively ruled out today when Nico Rosberg was confirmed as Mercedes-Benz's first nominated driver for next season's world championship.From the moment Jenson Button, having won the title for the team as Brawn, signed for McLaren last week there had been mounting speculation that Schumacher, who will be 41 next year, was considering a comeback to spearhead the official return of the "Silver Arrows" to grand prix for the first time since 1955.However, Ross Brawn, the Mercedes team principal, made it clear that Schumacher would not be picking up the threads of a full-time Formula One career that ended in 2006, even though he gave serious consideration to taking the role of temporary stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari this year. This plan was thwarted by a neck injury sustained earlier in the year in a motorcycle testing crash."The issue now haunts the media, I know," Brawn told the German newspaper Bild, "but there is nothing in it. The media are trying to put together a dream. Michael would have returned to the cockpit for Ferrari but only temporarily. He has no ambitions to start a new career."If we get a combination of two equally strong drivers, then the strategy will be different than if you have a winner like Michael. Following Button's move to McLaren, we will think differently. My desire is to find two experienced drivers. Nico Rosberg has more than three years in Formula One, so I count him to be experienced."Brawn seemed to be steering speculation in the direction of Nick Heidfeld, another German driver, and one with 167 grand prix starts under his belt. "I do not want a novice who must find his way around racetracks because we have very few opportunities to test drivers now. Performance without much practice is therefore the task. The good thing is we are not in a hurry."Formula OneMichael SchumacherBrawnMotor sportAlan Henryguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Lauda lauds Schumacher's driving force

Niki Lauda believes Michael Schumacher is back behind the wheel because he missed the racing bug so much. Lauda knows what it takes to make a comeback as he spent three years in retirement before returning to the track again in 1982. The Austrian won the third grand prix of that season, and went on to claim the third of his world titles in 1984.

Neck injury still a concern for Michael Schumacher

A lingering neck injury could potentially prevent Michael Schumacher from making his return to Formula One...  

Pain in neck is proving a problem for Schumacher

Michael Schumacher has revealed a neck injury is giving him concern in the build-up to his planned Formula One return later this month.