Neck problem could halt Schumacher comeback

Is Michael Schumacher getting cold feet about his return to F1 racing? Having enthusiastically announced he was stepping in to replace Felipe Massa until he recovers from the injuries sustained during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 25, it has now been revealed that he must pass a medical. And both the former world champion himself and his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm are making noises to suggest this is far from a foregone conclusion.

The 40-year-old driver has been on a rigorous training regime ever since he announced his comeback, involving a lot of gym time - he's lost six pounds in weight - and 'rehearsing' in an old Ferrari F1 car. While he is generally in good shape, there appears to be a problem with his neck which he has reported "pinches a bit".

As a result, Kehm said ominously yesterday: "It is not sure yet the neck will hold and the comeback can be started."

There is still a fortnight to go before qualifying begins for the European Grand Prix at Valencia on August 23, but Kehm went on: "It depends on medical investigations. Only after those will it be clear whether he will be able to drive. Michael is fully geared up, and fully on it. He has been for a week now. But he is a human being, and we have to make sure everything is fine."

A Formula One source told The First Post: "Now that we know he is a human being and not a robot, everything changes! Seriously though, will Michael really make this comeback? It's looking 50-50."

Schumacher himself said on his website on Tuesday: "All in all, the practice is going pretty well. I only have to admit that my neck pinches a bit.

"We have to get a grip on that as my health is the priority - that's the clear arrangement made with Ferrari and with my wife [Corinna Schumacher] too."

The negative spin has come in the wake of the refusal of the British team Williams to allow Ferrari to break the normal in-season test-driving rules. This means Schumacher is not allowed a run before Valencia in the team's new F60 car, which will have seen many technical upgrades since he last raced for the team in October 2006.

Ferrari has not taken kindly to the Williams veto, issuing a statement which reads: "Guess who opposed the test with the F60?. A team that hasn't won anything for years and yet did not pass over the opportunity to demonstrate a lack of spirit of fair play." ·