Michael Schumacher has had to abandon his planned Formula 1 return due to the neck injury he sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier this year.
The seven-time world champion was set to deputise for Felipe Massa at Ferrari from the next race in Valencia onwards, but said on Tuesday that medical tests had showed his neck wasn’t strong enough to withstand the physical demands of racing an F1 car.
“Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe,” Schumacher told his website.
“I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out.
“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.”
Schumacher had admitted that concerns about his neck might derail his comeback plans after experiencing discomfort following a 67-lap test at Mugello in a 2007 Ferrari on July 31.
He pressed on with his physical preparations, losing 3kg in body weight and doing two days of karting in Italy last week, and was planning to get back behind the wheel of an F2007 on Tuesday.
But the 40-year-old said further medical checks on Monday afternoon had revealed that the neck problems were persisting.
“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,” he said.
“That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet.
“This are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination yesterday afternoon.
“As there were no improvements after the day in Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to do that thorough examination already yesterday.”
The prospect of Schumacher returning after nearly three years in retirement had electrified the F1 world, and the German was relishing the new challenge he had set himself.
He admitted to being “disappointed to the core” to have had to call off the plans.
“I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me,” he said.
“I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power.
“All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races.”
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Schumacher admits neck concern