Ferrari Confirms Schumacher Return.

Ferrari has confirmed that Michael Schumacher will return to race action in Malaysia next weekend, despite the German claiming that he would not be back this season.


In a statement issued this afternoon [Friday], the Italian team revealed that Schumacher had suffered few ill-effects from his leg injury while testing at Fiorano and, in the light of his rapid lap times, had decided that he would return at Sepang in a week's time. Assuming that all goes to plan in Malaysia, Schumacher will also appear in the season finale at Suzuka.


"After three days of intensive testing at Mugello and Fiorano, Michael saw that there had been a big improvement in his physical condition," read the statement, "Therefore, he has decided to take part in the two final - and very important - races of the season, to give the maximum support to Ferrari in the fight for the championships, and to fulfil the wishes of the team and all its fans."


Earlier this week, Schumacher had issues a statement of his own, claiming that he would not return before next season. The reason, he said, was because of continuing problems with his injured right leg, leading to inflammation of his knee after exercise. The latest U-turn will be welcomed by team-mate Eddie Irvine, however, who insists that he needs the German's support if he is to win the world title this season. Irvine currently lies two points behind championship leader Mika Hakkinen.


Schumacher's decision to race had been predicted by the Italian press in recent days. The Gazzetta dello Sport was keen to point out that the German had turned a scheduled PR event at Mugello last Thursday into a full-blown test session, and claimed that he had also been seen deep in conversation with Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo following the day's running. A further test at Fiorano yesterday [Thursday] - when Irvine was due to be shaking down the cars for Malaysia - only heightened the expectation of an announcement.


Schumacher has also come under fire from his native German press this week, following the revelation that he would not be back behind the wheel in 1999.