Comeback cancelled

On his Web site, Michael Schumacher wrote that he had informed Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo that he was unable to step in for injured driver Felipe Massa.

The former champion said the fractures he sustained in a motorcycle accident in Spain in February meant that his neck would not be able to withstand the stresses caused by competing in a Formula One race.

"Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible," he said.

"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out," Schumacher said.

The worst crash of his career

The seven-time drivers' champion electrified the racing community last month, when he agreed to race temporarily for Ferrari in place of Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, who sustained severe head injuries in a horrific crash last month during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest. Massa is currently recovering in Brazil.

Schumacher had been expected to drive for Ferrari at the European Grand Prix at Valencia on August 23.

Michael Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, told German news agency DPA on Tuesday that the motorcycle crash last February was the most serious of Schumacher's career.

"It's a real pity," Weber said. "Like everyone else, I was really looking forward to the comeback."

ca/AFP/AP/dpa/Reuters

Editor: Chuck Penfold