Michael Schumacher’s manager Willi Weber has poured cold water on mounting speculation that the seven-time world champion might return to the Formula 1 cockpit as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari.
Schumacher’s official spokeswoman suggested on Tuesday morning that the legendary German would consider a stand-in role if called upon by Ferrari.
But after talks with Schumacher in Geneva on Monday, Weber said the 40-year-old German would not risk his reputation with an impromptu return in the unfamiliar F60 car.
“Whoever sits in the car at the next race in Valencia, it will not be Michael Schumacher,” Weber told the Daily Mail.
“I am not 100 per cent sure; I am 200 per cent sure.
“The pressure on him would be huge. He would be expected to win, but he has not driven this car.
“When Michael was racing he would get as close to perfection as possible.
“In this case, it would not be perfection; it would be a gamble - and that's not Michael's style.”
Schumacher retired from Formula 1 competition at the end of 2006 but still carries out ambassadorial and advisory duties for Ferrari.
He has tested the team’s F1 cars on several occasions since and attended numerous races, but has repeatedly ruled out a comeback.
His spokeswoman Sabine Kehm indicated that he might make an exception if requested to fill in for Massa, to whom he is a close friend and mentor, but Weber’s comments would suggest he has decided against doing so.
Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali have said they are in no rush to choose a substitute driver given the long gap before the next race in Valencia, and their first priority is to monitor and assist Massa’s recuperation.
Doctors looking after the Brazilian driver at Budapest’s AEK hospital are increasingly optimistic about his chances of making a full recovery and say he may be able to walk out of hospital himself within the next 10 days.
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