Michael Schumacher will make a shock return to Formula 1 to replace injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa. The seven-time world champion retired at the end of 2006 but will drive at the European Grand Prix on 23 August.

Ferrari said the 40-year-old will stand in for as long as Massa is sidelined by the serious head injuries he sustained in the Hungarian Grand Prix last week. "For team loyalty reasons I can't ignore this unfortunate situation," said the former Ferrari driver.

"This afternoon I met with team principal Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe. "As the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."

He hasn't been in a F1 in over a year and hasn't compete in over 2 years, so I wonder how fit is he really to deal with the rigors of driving through a full F1 race.