Schumacher’s return will boost F1

LONDON – Former world champion Niki Lauda believes Michael Schumacher’s shock return to Formula One will help revitalise the sport.

Schumacher revealed on Wednesday that Ferrari had persuaded him to come out of retirement to replace Brazilian Felipe Massa, who suffered severe injuries during a crash in Hungary last weekend.The 40-year-old German quit F1 in 2006 after a glorious career which included seven world titles, two with Benetton and five with Ferrari, and a total of 91 race victories.Schumacher is widely regarded as the sport’s greatest champion and Lauda, who won three world titles, hopes his comeback will take attention away from the political rows that have dragged F1 through the gutter in recent months.Lauda, 60, said: ‘Michael’s return is great news. He will be the saviour of Formula One after what we’ve gone through this year with all the politics. Then we had BMW pulling out with Honda having gone.’Schumacher coming back is the best thing to happen to F1. And he will still be quick and still be competitive even though he has not raced since 2006. He is just too good not to make an impact on his return.’Schumacher makes his comeback in the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23 and with Massa’s future in the sport uncertain, Schumacher may compete in the final seven races of the year.Lauda understands why he returned because he knows that a second spell in the sport can be a rewarding experience.The Austrian, who came back after a five-year retirement to win his third title in 1984, told The Sun newspaper: ‘Michael is aware of the dangers. He is a clever guy and a grown-up man.’He would not return unless he felt he was fit and felt he could make an impact on the track.’ – Nampa-AFP