Rivals welcome Michael Schumacher’s F1 return

Michael Schumacher's competitors and teammates have welcomed the seven-time world champion's return to Formula One. The weltmeister will make his grand prix comeback for Ferrari in Valencia on August 23, at the European Grand Prix.

Jenson Button, the world championship leader, praised Schumacher's "bravery" in deciding to return to the Ferrari team as a stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa. "He is still young,"  said the Brawn team driver, who at 29 is a decade younger than Schumacher. "Forty is not old and he will still be competitive. It will be good to have Michael out there racing again."

Button added: "Michael again will be very special although I'm sure we all wish that Felipe was out there also."

Lewis Hamilton, who took to the Formula One grid in the race after Schumacher's curtain call in Brazil in October 2006, said it would be an "honour and a privilege" to race against Schumacher. "It would be great to compete against him. The whole world will be watching his return to the cockpit in Valencia."

"I was once asked which former driver I'd most like to drive against and I went for Michael," the 2008 world champion added. "I don't agree with all his controversial moves but as a competitor there was nobody better."

Fellow Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen also said he is looking forward to working alongside Michael Schumacher. "If it really happens I will be happy to partner him, even though it may not have much effect on my own performance," said the 2007 Formula One world champion.

Meanwhile the outlook for the injured Massa is hopeful after doctors in Budapest, where he is hospitalised, said he could be home by the weekend. The damage to his left eye is not thought to be career-threatening although Massa is unlikely to be racing anytime soon. Despite this he joked yesterday that Schumacher, his friend and mentor, should not expect to replace him. "Let's see if I let Michael drive my car because I'm not giving up hope of racing in Valencia." ·