Schumacher Issued 20 Second Penalty for Alonso Move

Michael Schumacher has been issued a 20 second penalty, demoting him from sixth in Monaco, to 12th.

The Mercedes GP driver had been running seventh in today’s Monaco Grand Prix before passing Fernando Alonso in the last corner of the race for sixth, when the race was technically still under ‘safety car conditions’.

Although both Alonso and Schumacher had passed the safety car line meaning they could overtake once the safety car had returned to the pits, Schumacher was penalised for passing the Ferrari as the regulations state that “if the race ends while the safety car is deployed it will enter the pitlane at the end of the last lap, and the cars will take the chequered flag as normal, without overtaking.”

Schumacher’s penalty means Alonso receives eight points for sixth, and now has 75 championship points. Nico Rosberg receives six points for seventh, with 56 world championship points, while Adrian Sutil receives four points, Vitantonio Liuzzi, two, and Sebastien Buemi takes the last point in tenth.

Mercedes have said they will appeal the decision.

Schumacher Pulls Out of F1 Comeback

Michael Schumacher will not be returning to F1 to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari, due to the injuries he suffered earlier this year, it was announced today.

The German told the team last night, and it was announced this morning, that the injuries he suffered to his neck following a motorcycle accident in February are still too severe to cope with the pressures that will be put on his neck in Formula One.

Schumacher said on his website that he’d tried everything possible to make a temporary comeback to stand in for Massa. He said: “I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me.”

The injury to Schumacher’s neck flared up again following testing of the F2007 at Mugello last week.

Schumacher was set to take Massa’s place at the European Grand Prix later this month, instead, the Brazilian will be replaced at Ferrari by test driver Luca Badoer, who told the team’s website that despite always wanting to drive for Ferrari, he is upset that Schumacher will not be making a comeback.

He said: “I’m really sorry for Michael, because I know how much he wanted to return: I’m saying that as his friend and his fan.” He added: “I know that he’ll always be ready to give me some advice and he will shout for me.”

Badoer has been test driving for the team since 1998.

Schumacher to Return to F1

Michael Schumacher is being prepared to return to Formula One to replace Felipe Massa while he recovers from his accident at the Hungaroring at the weekend.

Seven-time world champion Schumacher, has been confirmed by Ferrari as Massa’s replacement from the European Grand Prix as long as he has the full fitness required for an F1 race.

The German driver quit F1 at the end of 2006, and following days of speculation since Massa’s accident, he had been ruled out of returning by his manager Willi Weber.

However, following a meeting with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo, it was decided that Schumacher would prepare himself to replace the Brazilian driver.

Schumacher said: “Though it is true that the chapter of Formula One has been completely closed for me for a long time, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation.” He added that he is looking forward to returning and facing the challenge.

It will be the first time the former Ferrari driver has driven the F60.

Felipe Massa is now out of intensive care, and his personal doctor, Dino Altmann is certain he will to return to the sport. He also said that the fears of Massa having damaged his left eye have been proved to be unjustified. He said: “His eye has been opened, with care because it is swollen, and he has said he can see. His vision has not been weakened.”