Schumacher's Quit Leads to F1 Controversy

The news that Michael Schumacher will not return to Formula One has left plenty of insiders in shock. While many were thrilled about the prospect of seeing a Michael Schumacher-Lewis Hamilton clash on the streets of Valencia, they have received Schu's statement as a true blow to the sport.

While some believe the 40-year old German was right to call off his comeback into the sport due to his pain – following his motorcycle crash in February this year – there are a few who are wondering of Schu's true motives. Some critics in the British media actually hinted that the German driver might have renounced the idea of racing in Formula One in order to save his pride, as he was unfit for racing.

It was his brother Ralf who hit back at such reports, insisting that “fractures in the vertebrate are not something to be dismissed lightly,” as quoted by the German newspaper Bild.

In addition, Schumacher's long time manager Willi Weber also revealed that his client's injury was much more serious than meets the eye. Not only that, but the 67-year old German rated Schumacher's motorcycle crash even higher (as gravity and injuries resulted from it) than the 7-time world champion's famous accident at Silverstone – that kept him out of track for the entire second half of 2009.

“It was the most serious accident in Michael's motor sport career," his manager Willi Weber told the German news agency DPA on Tuesday.

In the meantime, Carlos Gracia, president of the Spanish motor racing federation put some more fuel to the fire, hitting at Ferrari for not choosing Marc Gene to replace Felipe Massa at Valencia, instead of Luca Badoer. The Spanish official would have loved to have 3 Spanish racers compete before a home crowd – in addition to Jaime Alguersuari and, probably, Fernando Alonso – not to mention Gene's superiority in terms of racing skills.

“It's an absurdity by the management of Ferrari. Gene is better prepared and has just won the 24 hours of Le Mans,” said Gracia.