Schumacher rules out F1 comeback as Ferrari 'seek change'

By Ralf Jarkowski Jun 20, 2007, 11:22 GMT

Hamburg - Record world champion Michael Schumacher has categorically ruled out a spectacular comeback to help revive Ferrari's Formula One title challenge this season.

Schumacher's media adviser told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa Wednesday there was no substance in speculation that Ferrari wanted 38-year-old Schumacher to replace Kimi Raikkonen.

'There's nothing in it. Michael has absolutely no intention of returning to the cockpit,' Sabine Kehm said.

Germany's Auto Bild Motorsport magazine, in a report to appear on Friday, said Schumacher was missing racing and had already been testing the Ferrari F2007.

The German has been acting as an adviser to Ferrari after his retirement at the end of last season.

But Kehm told dpa: 'Michael has definitely not driven this car. He is completely contented with his life at present. He has never regretted his decision to retire and nothing has changed in that.'

According to Auto Bild Motorsport, the Italian team has been disappointed with 28-year-old Raikkonen and is considering a change of drivers.

Ferrari have won three of the seven Formula One races this season but McLaren-Mercedes have won the last three.

Raikkonen, who was hired by Ferrari to succeed seven-time world champion Schumacher, won the seaon-opener in Australia but has not been on the podium in the last four races and was fourth at the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis on Sunday.

In the drivers' standing, the Finn is only fourth on 32 points behind the McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton of Britain (58), Fernando Alonso of Spain (48) and Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa (39).

McLaren lead the constructors' championship on 106 points, with Ferrari on 71.

Auto Bild Motorsport said Ferrari also saw Alonso and 21-year-old German Nico Rosberg as possible replacements for Raikkonen.

Alonso is unsettled at McLaren where he is being upstaged by newcomer Hamilton, while Rosberg is unhappy with the reliability of the Williams Toyota, the report said.

However neither driver could be hired this season, while Schumacher was in a position to step in before the next race, the French Grand Prix on July 1 at Magny-Cours, the report added.