Michael Schumacher on Tuesday announced he has called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering injuries from a motorcycling crash earlier this year. The seven-time world champion was to fill in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa,and hoped to return at this months European Grand Prix in Valencia,Spain. Schumacher said on his website he informed top Ferrari officials on Monday evening that unfortunately Im not able to step in for Felipe. Schumacher,40,retired at the end of the 2006 season. Since then,he has raced occasionally in a motorcycling series but was injured in a crash in February. The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February,fractures in the area of head and neck,unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe, Schumacher said. That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula One yet. I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible. However,much to my regret it didnt work out, he added. Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck. The niggle arose after he tested an old Ferrari at the Mugello circuit in Italy. I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me, Schumacher said. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo thanked Schumacher for his loyalty to the team in attempting an F1 comeback. I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing, Montezemolo said. In the past few days,I could appreciate his great efforts and extraordinary motivation which had spread through the team and fans around the world. His return would have been good for Formula One and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again, he added. I wish to thank him for the strong attachment he displayed for the team. Schumachers younger brother,Ralf Schumacher,said the pullout was a great shame for everyone who had been looking forward to Michaels comeback. But he added that it is absolutely clear that a burdensome Formula One commitment is not possible if (his) state of health does not allow it. Ferrari announced that team test driver Luca Badoer will race in Massas place at Valencia. Montezemolo said Ferrari decided to give Badoer the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver. (AP) The replacements replacement Luca Badoer,named Michael Schumachers replacement for the season,entered Formula One after making a name for himself in karting and the lower Formula series. The Italian won the F3000 title in 1992,and that led him to his first Formula One team a year later BMS Scuderia Italia. He moved to Minardi two years later,and after a couple of seasons there,became a test driver for Ferrari. Badoer has been Ferraris longest-serving test driver. He last raced in Formula One a decade ago. He made 48 starts for Lola,Minardi and Forti Course but failed to register a single point. That statistic makes him the driver with the most starts to never get a point against his name. His best finish was seventh in the 1993 San Marino GP. Badoers current entry into F1 will make him the oldest driver in the fray at 38 years,taking over that mantle from Rubens Barichello.
