Michael Schumacher, the seven times formula one world champion will come out of retirement to replace Felipe Massa at next month upcoming Grand Pix at Valencia. Schumacher will be deputizing for the injured Felipe Massa who sustained slight head trauma and a fractured skull after being hit on the helmet at 175mph from a spring that broke off a competitors car. News of the replacement comes after days of frantic rumors and were put to rest by a Ferrari press release.

This will be the first time the seven times world champion will be driving a formula one car since april 2008. While he has been keeping fit during his retirement, a recent accident while motorcycling and a resultant neck injury is the only thing that might have brought him comeback to a grinding halt. Fortunately for ferrari and its legion of fans, he was declared fit and is now undergoing a training and simulation testing program to bring him upto speed with the Valencia track and the nuances of the modern formula one car.

Schumacher has never been intersted in a full time return to the sport desppite numerous offers and an open offer from Ferrari. This time is seems it is a question of loyalty to the team at a time of need.

“The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive. I wish him all the best again,” said Schumacher.

“I was meeting this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo, and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe.

“Though it is true that the chapter of Formula 1 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. But as the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge.”

The press release of his return came just a day after his manager Wili Weber ruled out his return.

“Whoever sits in the car at the next race in Valencia, it will not be Michael Schumacher. I am not 100 per cent sure; I am 200 per cent sure,” Weber was quoted as saying by The Daily Mail.

“The pressure on him would be huge. He would be expected to win, but he has not driven this car. When Michael was racing he would get as close to perfection as possible. In this case, it would not be perfection; it would be a gamble – and that’s not Michael’s style.”