By Christian Hollmann and Jens Marx Aug 12, 2009, 15:56 GMT
Geneva - There were few smiles at Michael Schumacher's press conference in Geneva Wednesday as the seven-time world champion explained why he won't be able to return to Formula One later this month owing to a neck injury.
'It's obvious I'm disappointed,' Schumacher told journalists at the Intercontinental Hotel, adding that he was 'frustrated and very sad that it wasn't possible in the end.'
The seven-time world champion was set for a sensational return to the sport in place of injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa for several races, starting with the European Grand Prix on August 23, in Valencia, Spain.
However, the 40-year-old was forced to call off his comeback Tuesday owing to neck problems from a motorbike accident in Spain last February.
'I would like to give a huge thanks to all the fans who have really motivated and supported me, more than I could ever have dreamt,' said Schumacher.
'No one could have forecast that Felipe would have this accident (at qualifying for the Hungarian GP) in Budapest. It wasn't exactly planned. I was then ready to step into the breach and help.'
Schumacher praised his team, including Dr Johannes Peil, who had worked to try and get the 40-year-old into the shape necessary to race in F1.
'In that respect there was no better preparation than the one we have put together,' he said.
Peil, meanwhile, revealed at the press conference that the neck injury sustained in Cartegena proved too severe an obstacle to overcome.
'The consequences of the accident were the most serious Michael has had to deal with in his career,' said Peil.
Schumacher revealed that he couldn't remember too much about the accident, but that he would have to live with the consequences.
'It was my fate to have this accident. I have great fun on motorbikes and you are always smarter after the event,' he said. 'I only know that I woke up and had my problems.'
Peil commented that he still held out hope that Schumacher's condition could improve with time to the degree necessary for a comeback to F1.
'The decision as to whether he would then consider another attempt at driving in Formula One would be Michael's alone,' Peil told the German Press Agency dpa.
'If his treatment continues with the progress it is making, so that the final problems are healed, then the possibility of him being able to race in Formula One again cannot be ruled out.'
Schumacher, meanwhile, said he wasn't looking too far ahead.
'I don't feel capable of thinking about the future at the moment,' he said. 'This is probably the toughest moment of my career.'
Ferrari have said that their test driver Luca Badoer of Italy will now take Massa's place until the Brazilian is fit to return.
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