Injury knocks Schumacher’s comeback bid off track

RALF SCHUMACHER has seen his Formula One comeback delayed by another race after failing medical checks on his injured back.

Williams had expected Schumacher to return to the cockpit this week in testing at Monza, prior to an anticipated return in the Italian Grand Prix on September 12.

But the German was refused permission to test yesterday by his doctors after they examined the cracked vertebrae he suffered in an accident at Indianapolis in June.

Schumacher’s place at Williams will again be filled by test driver Antonio Pizzonia. The Brazilian was on course for a maiden podium finish in last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix before a mechanical failure put him out.

The next available date for Schumacher’s comeback is now the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix on September 26 in Shanghai.

Meanwhile, Renault boss Flavio Briatore has revealed his “major disappointment” at their pointless Belgian Grand Prix. Briatore’s two cars started first and third but ended the Spa-Francorchamps race without a single point to show for that promise.

Jarno Trulli led early on but a mystery mechanical problem saw him slide down the field to finish ninth, while team-mate Fernando Alonso spun out of the lead when his engine dumped oil over his rear wheels.

Briatore was furious after seeing Renault blow a chance to pull clear of BAR in the race for second in the constructors’ championship. BAR’s Jenson Button and Takuma Sato both retired and Briatore said: “This result is a major disappointment for the team. We had a great chance to score points and strengthen our position in the championship but instead we came away empty-handed.

“Fernando suffered from a reliability problem, and we need to resolve this before the final four races of the season. As for Jarno’s loss in performance, we are at a loss to explain what happened.”

Minardi expect to be able to again threaten the rest of the Formula One grid next season after signing a new engine deal with Cosworth. Minardi will receive the same specification of engine as Jaguar.

For most of their 20-season Formula One life, Minardi have been perennial strugglers, although they have 31 points and one front-row start to their credit. The influx of car manufacturers into Formula One has not helped their cause, with most of their rivals benefiting from works engine supplies as Minardi struggled with Cosworth power. That disadvantage should be lessened from 2005 if the new Cosworth engine lives up to its billing.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart said: “This will give Minardi a considerable boost by providing the team with the opportunity to fight some of its F1 rivals on a more level playing field.”