It’s official: Michael Schumacher returns to F1!
Michael Schumacher is now back in Formula One! The 7 times world champion will be racing in Felipe Massa’s seat for the European Grand Prix in Valencia on the 23rd of August 2009 and will do so for the rest of the season until Massa is ready to be back in the driver’s seat.
This must be something big for Schumacher himself as well, as he has probably in a mental state that F1 is a chapter that is pretty much closed in his life. They say quit while you’re ahead right? The 40 year old also has to physically prepare himself for the sport now as he is not exactly in F1 driving shape since retiring from the sport in October 2006, and this calls for extensive fitness programs.
“The most important thing first: thanks God, all news concerning Felipe are positive. I wish him all the best again. I was meeting this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe. 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. Ultimately I like challenges and this is a great challenge,” said Schumi.
I’m sure droves of fans who say they have begun to lose interest in the sport will flock back to their TV sets for the races now that there is a very interesting new contender.
July 30, 2009 @ 2:51 am
OMG! My hero is back! So nice to know he’ll be back for the remaining races!
July 30, 2009 @ 3:18 am
Wow! Cool old man!
July 30, 2009 @ 4:41 am
Yehaaaaaaaaaaaaa….when i first heard the rumours few days ago ..i thought they must be kidding but then it’s true……cloud nine man !
July 30, 2009 @ 6:17 am
Serious? I thought his super license has expired..
July 30, 2009 @ 6:27 am
So the Stig is in F1!!! Awesome.
Welcome back, Schumi. We all are craving for your return.
Viva Schumi!!
July 30, 2009 @ 6:42 am
Then Juan Pablo Montoya and Mika Hakkinen should return also to complete arch rivalry series in F1.
July 30, 2009 @ 6:58 am
I”m going to SINGAPORE!!!!!!!!! Danke Michael!!!!! Good to have you back!!!!!
July 30, 2009 @ 7:28 am
OMG! this is the best news I’ve heard about F1 for years! After all those stupid politics this year, inferior winning races… It is time for some positive change!
July 30, 2009 @ 7:30 am
Welcome back! Hail to the King ..
July 30, 2009 @ 7:43 am
Can’t believe it either. Can’t wait to see how he fares head to head against the ice man and whether he’ll be able to show the young guns like Vettel & Hamilton that he’s still the master. That said, I hope Phillipe can be back for his home GP.
July 30, 2009 @ 8:06 am
THE STIG IS BACK TO F1!!!!!!!
July 30, 2009 @ 8:09 am
yey yay! I am gonna watch F1 again… yay yay
July 30, 2009 @ 8:11 am
it is good to see Schumacher back..interesting to see he will be racing in a new F1 car..cant wait!
July 30, 2009 @ 8:23 am
Let’s put our thoughts on who will come out on top, Kimi or Schumi? Can’t wait to see it happening…
July 30, 2009 @ 8:35 am
Now there’s something excited in F1 again. Good to hear the F1 king back.
July 30, 2009 @ 8:35 am
schumi is among the great drivers……but y this man should gamble his name in the middle of ferrari problem……today, i read the newspaper, BMW next year no more……erm, favo team..
July 30, 2009 @ 8:39 am
old man is back racing.. all youngster WATCH OUT!
July 30, 2009 @ 8:51 am
F1 finally started with another interesting races…
July 30, 2009 @ 8:54 am
So whos gonna be the stig?!
July 30, 2009 @ 8:55 am
What a rubbish decession..
Pity with Ferrari reserved/test driver.
He not get any single chance now..
Anyway.. Im still sad of BMW quiting…
next year maybe i gonna be BRAWN PETRONAS fan.
July 30, 2009 @ 9:00 am
i’m still rooting for iceman…
July 30, 2009 @ 9:02 am
Welcome back Schuma. Long live Ferrari. Time to the mamak stall again.Teh tarik 2. Tosei tisu 1. Cepatlah mamak……
July 30, 2009 @ 9:18 am
The greatest news so far this year, wilkonmen Schumi. Show us your stuff.
It is will be the most interesting test of the rain master and a real champion driver although I doubt Ferrari without tacticians Ross Brawn and Jean Todt would be able to make an impact on the current leaders ,surely one thing the gates at the remaining races for this year would be smiling all the way to the banks.
July 30, 2009 @ 9:19 am
As much as I like THE man himself back on track, don’t you think it might not be a wise move because as we all know, this year Ferrari’s car is not really in a competitive mood… He might embarrased himself and we don’t want that.
July 30, 2009 @ 9:22 am
The greatest is back on track.
July 30, 2009 @ 9:23 am
S**t man..Lets paint the podium RED once again!
July 30, 2009 @ 9:32 am
wooow~ my most favourite driver r return~~ i really cant wait to see him on the track!!!^^
July 30, 2009 @ 9:37 am
Wow!! This really going to be interesting. Frankly, I’m already getting bored of this year F1 with the turmoil, politics, yada, yada,yada…but this…this I got to see. Can’t wait to see Schumi kick Lewis young @$$ and say…move over boy!!! Hahahaha…well, I guess we really got to wait and see. Schumi vs. Lewis….now that’s entertainment…
July 30, 2009 @ 9:41 am
welcome back schumi!!!!!
July 30, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Its great to hear that schummi is coming back to F1, but Ferrari must improve their car performance or else the result will still be the same…
July 30, 2009 @ 9:54 am
Viel Glück, Schumi!
July 30, 2009 @ 10:01 am
Da return of Da King!
Time to teach those young folks a lesson…
July 30, 2009 @ 10:04 am
he is gonna humiliate himself, like in the star in the reasonably priced car session.
July 30, 2009 @ 10:04 am
Hamilton’s dream comes true, now he can race with his idol in F1.
July 30, 2009 @ 10:05 am
i dont care whether he’s goin to perform or not..but as long as he’s in the race i’m good abt it. welcome back schumi!
July 30, 2009 @ 10:10 am
bmpower said,
July 30, 2009 @ 8:55 am
What a rubbish decession..
Pity with Ferrari reserved/test driver.
He not get any single chance now..
Anyway.. Im still sad of BMW quiting…
next year maybe i gonna be BRAWN PETRONAS fan.
hahahah lalang punya fan..BMW konon…even ferrari not even win any race this year we still Ferrari fan…hahaha Welcome back Schumi..Hail to the King
July 30, 2009 @ 10:24 am
bmpower said,
July 30, 2009 @ 8:55 am
What a rubbish decession..
Pity with Ferrari reserved/test driver.
He not get any single chance now..
Pity with your English too…..
July 30, 2009 @ 10:33 am
Schumi isnt the stig, your donks. Sigh…..Watch that episode of top gear again and right up to the ending..
July 30, 2009 @ 10:38 am
@P2_permanent_basher
You have very little sense of humor, don’t you.
July 30, 2009 @ 10:44 am
THE RETURN OF THE KING !!!
July 30, 2009 @ 10:50 am
Woohoo, F1 is fun to watch this year.
July 30, 2009 @ 10:55 am
definitaly will bump up the tv ratings by many notches with his return. i for one will surely catch the next race, after feeling disillusioned and bored with this season’s crazy antics
July 30, 2009 @ 10:56 am
the G.O.A.T is back
July 30, 2009 @ 11:00 am
he should not have come back. he is taking a potentially huge risk.. having retired at the top, he could potentially end up retiring a 2nd time on the losing end.
the good thing for us spectators is, we have the chance to see if the best ever F1 driver can take the “not so good current ferrari” to the top of the podium.
July 30, 2009 @ 11:16 am
Wish he will wear his ‘Stig’ outfit during the race. And wont even open his helmet on podium. Sure gimmick.
July 30, 2009 @ 11:17 am
demmm!!!cant wait to see he drive again with ferrari and with new competitor brawn gp..
July 30, 2009 @ 11:25 am
hard to give up the feeling of fast driving in F1 cars… no road cars can be driven fast as F1 car and drive constant to that long hour. Since the team has no chance to win championship, might as well spend all efforts for next year’s car. Don’t think he is aiming for any win, more like Schumi “real-world” technical input opportunity for Ferrari. Win a race would be a bonus.
July 30, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Oooo yes…..
How nice and excited to know that M. schumi is once again back on track.
July 30, 2009 @ 11:45 am
hahahha….seems that my predictions come true in the previous comment on massa injuring….haha…bertemu buku dgn ruas….hamilton fight with schumacher…maybe hamilton fight for his idol ayrton senna against schumacher….go go go hamilton with his hot KERS hybrid….like hamilton singing to his rival….
“Don’t ya wish your hybrid was hot like mine?”
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
July 30, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
Oh no…no more chance for the other F1 drivers to win already.
July 30, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
Its time to Ferrari Team to make comeback like yesteryears. Schumi is the best F1 driver of the century….
July 30, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
Taking it from T-800 Terminator: I’M BACK!!
I’m still Kimi fan, hehehe, but at least right now, I get to see Kimi and Schuey together in the same car, instead of last time in Ferrari n McLaren. YEAAAAHH!!!!
July 30, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
good timing, the latest season of Top Gear is just about to end…
July 30, 2009 @ 12:57 pm
It is good to see how Schumi will stack up against the young crop of racers like Vettel, Hamilton, Rosberg. Don’t forget Alonso have proven before that he is up to the task by putting Schumi behind him at Monza’s home track
July 30, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
all da best to MS
July 30, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
The LEGEND has come back……… its make F1 Interesting again…..
…..DANKE MICHAEL.!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 30, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
Now we can see who is the better driver since both the Iceman and Schumi is driving the same cars. At the moment the Iceman has a slight advantage since he has spent more testing and racing time in the current car.
Anyway i too agree that it is good news for F1 after the wthdrawal of Honda and BMW.
July 30, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
Cool! Looking forward to see him on the TV screen.
July 30, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
at least got some reason to watch F1…
Wife: Kenapa nak tukar channel..tak best lah F1
Old timers: Micheal Schumacher ada lah..dia lumba balik..
Wife: Wow…, ok, ok
July 30, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
old timers said:
“at least got some reason to watch F1…
Wife: Kenapa nak tukar channel..tak best lah F1
Old timers: Micheal Schumacher ada lah..dia lumba balik..
Wife: Wow…, ok, ok”
Haha good one man! I can imagine my mom saying that as well! Good to have him back. He is a fantastic driver, if the not the best. But also remember that the car plays a big part as well. Can’t wait to watch!
July 30, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
bravo!!!
July 30, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Wow !! Schmi is back !!! Woo hoo hooo……………….
July 30, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Wow !! King of F1 is back .. the tame racing driver ..
July 30, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
Whoa! Gonna watch the battle between Button and the F1 King! Fun and exciting!
July 30, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
Watch out Button!! Schumi will decreasing the Constructor Gap. Hahahahaha
July 30, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
Watch Out Button!!!! Schumi will decreasing the constructor gap.Hahahahaha
July 30, 2009 @ 4:02 pm
I bet almost Ferrari fans wanted to see him back in F1 circuits again. Wow…. no excuse to escape watching the live shows. In fact, I am still wondering that is no one could perform as outstanding as Schumi. Really… no one at this moment. A big bonus for Ferrari… Meantime, pitiful to Massa. Between Massa & Schumi, I won’t doubt the outstanding performance from Schumi again. Yahoo!
July 30, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Schumi vs Button vs Hamilton vs Vettel???? this time is not about the points, is to see who can win the most in these last few laps!!!
July 30, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
otai sudah mari!
July 30, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Doing a Lance Armstrong huh?
July 30, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
overated Schumi.
later the spring will hantam satu kali dia.
Then schumi enter the ICU too..
July 30, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
Now it worth watching F1 again.
July 30, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
another comeback by a legendary fella… after MJ (unfortunately he didn’t make it).. now Schumi, what a great year.. hope he managed to get his fitness tiptop and racing in Valencia..
July 30, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
HOpe Felipe Massa has a very very lonnnnnnnnnnnng rest
July 30, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
too boring f1 race when schumacher dominate and dictate the F1…especially after senna died… tak payah tgk race pun nak tau sapa menang…but nowadays very interesting fight with hamilton and alonso….best best
July 30, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
it’s obvious aint’t it? The reason behind this piece of surprising news. To bump up the ratings again. The F1 PR circus is truly working overtime. I hope Schumi doesn’t regret this decision. The last time he drove a Ferrari F1 car was in April 2008. Now he is expected to fill in for Massa, quite suddenly. The public don’t appreciate how difficult it is for him to get into the F60, which he has never tested.. and worse still expect him to be insantly competitive and battle head to head with Kimi, Vettel and the top drivers. Hope the fans are not dissapointed and hope Michael’s stellar competitive record is not tarnished. He should not put his reputation at risk this way. There are certainly younger future hopefuls deserving of this great opportunity but the F1 circus prefer to remain a circus. All the best Michael!
July 30, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
when the next race?
July 30, 2009 @ 6:30 pm
whoever wins the next race will still considered lost. this is an insult to F1 sport. this is a young men’s sports, young men pls show your talent, schumi, your time is already long over, continue your topgear show….
July 30, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
i respect him as the legend of F1, but i would advise him to stay sideline and watch the race or become the hall of fame commentator. remember michael jordon made his come back to basket ball game? make people laugh only!
July 30, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
honk! honk! give way! give way! old man coming…
July 30, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
If he crashes and something happen in the race then we will remember him forever as the F1 legend.
July 30, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
bmpower said,
July 30, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
overated Schumi.
later the spring will hantam satu kali dia.
Then schumi enter the ICU too..
—————————————–
hahaha..lawak la this comment
July 30, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
hail the King of F1… welcome back Shuey…
July 30, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
the king is back
July 30, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
Danke Schumi. U r my hero.
Crap. those singaporean get to see he racing… huhu…
July 30, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
Im gonna watch F1 evry Sunday.
July 30, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
Now people will go and flock back to watch F1………..Hail to the king….the best ever F1 driver is back….
July 30, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
can he drives…????
i think he only can drive in his fast f1 car during his season….
current season the ferrari’s car bit slow….i dont think he can drive the slower car….:D
July 30, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
Aiyaaa!!!How about Alexander Young..nobody want to offer aaa???
July 31, 2009 @ 12:11 am
hopefully he can bring back the lost crowd
July 31, 2009 @ 1:26 am
Good for F1, not too good for himself. He could embarrass himself out there.
Just look at Armstrong.
The problem with Ferrari this season is not the driver, it’s the car!
Reputation at stakes here. I bet all the young & daring drivers will overtake him at every chance. Something to boost about, no?
Guys, just imagine Vettel lapping Schuey if Schuey cannot even qualify for Q3 on Saturday session.
July 31, 2009 @ 8:13 am
Do not underestimate the KING!!!
He’s the best, no matter what car Ferrari throws at him.
Remember 2005? He’s still competitive with a car with midfield calibre!!
Go Ferrari!!!!!! Go SCHUEY!!!!
SCHUEY IS KIIINNG!!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!
July 31, 2009 @ 8:33 am
zafedz…
Alex Young drive the medical car maaaa…. slow and steady crucial for accident victim like Massa….
ha ha ha
Alex jgn marah I know ur sponsorship is more expensive than Micheal because we could easily read all the sponsor sticker on your car compared to Micheal, so slower car better for advertising…
July 31, 2009 @ 10:27 am
man… i cannot wait to see u race again, after a long time not watch F1 racing, now its time to stick infront TV again..huhu
July 31, 2009 @ 10:51 am
Head Hunter,
Even the mighty Schumacher cannot win a race if he drove say a Force India. In F1 the champion is always the BEST driver IN the BEST car driving for the BEST team. The best Schumacher can hope for, and we’re being optimistic here, is to beat his team mate, in this case, Kimi. In F1, only the drivers in top 3 teams race to win. The rest only race to beat their team mate. RBR has the best car right now and it would not do Schumi justice to expect him to beat Webber or Vettel.
Such is the knife edge complexity of being competitive in an F1 car.
I hope the development in store for the F60 at valencia will put them in top 3 teams for pace. Even then, expecting Schumi to be able to maximize that and translate to a race result is highly optimistic, even though his fitness is top notch even today.
He hasn’t been in the car since April 2008 and his neck muscles would have become weak already. He can try to compensate that by doing special exercises in the gym but nothing tones the neck muscles like doing 4g through corners regularly, as what all the other drivers are already doing.
If Schumi gets into Q1 at valencia and finishes top 10 in the race, he is a demi-god and I really want to see him race the rest of the season and in 2010!
July 31, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Head Hunter,
Even the mighty Schumacher cannot win a race if he drove say a Force India. In F1 the champion is always the BEST driver IN the BEST car driving for the BEST team. The best Schumacher can hope for, and we’re being optimistic here, is to beat his team mate, in this case, Kimi. In F1, only the drivers in top 3 teams race to win. The rest only race to beat their team mate. RBR has the best car right now and it would not do Schumi justice to expect him to beat Webber or Vettel.
Such is the knife edge complexity of being competitive in an F1 car.
I hope the development in store for the F60 at valencia will put them in top 3 teams for pace. Even then, expecting Schumi to be able to maximize that and translate to a race result is highly optimistic, even though his fitness is top notch even today.
He hasn’t been in the car since April 2008 and his neck muscles would have become weak already. He can try to compensate that by doing special exercises in the gym but nothing tones the neck muscles like doing 4g through corners regularly, as what all the other drivers are already doing. If Schumi gets into Q1 at valencia and finishes top 10 in the race, he is a demi-god and I really want to see him race the rest of the season and in 2010!
July 31, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
zafedz, dude his name is alex YOONG, pity the guy
July 31, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
LightningMcQueen said,
July 31, 2009 @ 8:33 am
zafedz…
Alex Young drive the medical car maaaa…. slow and steady crucial for accident victim like Massa….
ha ha ha
Alex jgn marah I know ur sponsorship is more expensive than Micheal because we could easily read all the sponsor sticker on your car compared to Micheal, so slower car better for advertising…
Hahaha…..but I think medical car also need to speed for emergency treatment…so he still cant qualify…maybe pace car?? oh no, can’t also because they will all lap him before the warm up lap is completed…be a marshall la…
July 31, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
i want to see schumi in race too.. but not because he’s so called king (overated btw-the real king in F1 is Bernie and mosley right?)
I want to see schumi race and loose from race to another race!
yeah.. that’s it.!
it’s more better if Alonso can smack him from back.. or leave a suspension spring on track for schumi. Special on for him.. just like massa.
Hahaha…
sorry schumi.. im not your fan, you’re just.. a pit strategy champion. A Todd’s checker pawn!.
July 31, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
This is a good one from Niki Lauda…
“What do you want to do with Bourdais? I CAN DRIVE!!!! Honestly. Bourdais did not do anything in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso. He is a real waste of time. There is no way Ferrari would even consider him when he couldn’t perform in a Toro Rosso against [Sébastien] Buemi. The problem is there is a lack of up-and-coming guys.
“The test drivers are useless, and there is nobody else here if you think about it. If he (Schumacher) doesn’t want to do it, the idea is finished in the same second – but if I was di Montezemolo I would call him.”
July 31, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
Yeah.. Hail the King..
July 31, 2009 @ 10:05 pm
Schumi-haters,
U’re not fan of schumi huh…no harm. Millions did.
Just love to watch schumi when he jumped on podium…hehe. Have seen many times performed over last decade…Hope to see it done in near future
August 1, 2009 @ 10:21 am
OMG…we are already knew winner for the next race..i hate this…no point to watch the race after this…boring..
August 1, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
It is difficult to predict the winner for Valencia. The odds are stacked against Schumi because of this whole last minute drive thing and because of the current pace of the F60 itself. He has a lot of hard work ahead of him to prepare, even if his current general fitness is tops.
Making it into Q1 and finishing the race in top ten is enough for me to call him DA MANN! If that happens I really want to see him finish the season and do 2010 too!
August 1, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
I want to bet…
Kimi Räikkönen will beat, defeat the old horse Michael Schumacher in the next race.. you all just wait and see la