Michael Schumacher, 40, agreed earlier this summer to drive in Felipe Massa’s place as Massa’s accident preventing him from staying on the race circuit. However, Schumacher had to cancel his return this week due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier this year. Ferrari says Italian Luca Badoer will replace Schumacher at this month’s European Grand Prix at Valencia.
Badoer is a Ferrari test driver whose name was first floated by Italian media after Felipe Massa’s accident.
“I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing,” commented Luca di Montezemolo. “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. No doubt his return would have been good for Formula 1 and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again. In the name of Ferrari and all the fans, I wish to thank him for the strong attachment he displayed for the team in these circumstances. In agreement with Stefano Domenicali, we have therefore decided to give Luca Badoer the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver.”