He retired having just fallen short of Italian Ricardo Patrese’s record of lining up in 256 races.

The man from the flatlands of Kerpen in northern Germany was a Teutonic machine, a human delivery system of speed and points and glory in a sport unused to such high standards of regularity, human reliability and sheer professionalism.

Nobody trained like Schumacher. Nobody was as fit as Schumacher. Nobody raced as hard as Schumacher. Nobody won like Schumacher. Nobody worked on and on and on like he did.

A great driver, a great competitor then for whom the lure of a return to competition ensures an explosive second half of the 2009 season. AFP

Schumacher said that while talking with top Ferrari officials Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemulo, “together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe. “

The Ferrari website confirms the story further.

“Ferrari intends to entrust Michael Schumacher with Felipe Massa’s car for as long as the Brazilian driver is not able to race, “ a statement said.

Schumacher will now undergo a series of medical examinations and training exercises, designed to determine whether the 40-year-old is still fit to take part in F1 racing.

If he passes, fans will get to see the most successful F1 racer of all time back in the cockpit at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain on August 23. DW-World