Hamilton relishing competing with Schumacher

LEWIS HAMILTON has insisted it will be “an honour and a privilege” to finally compete against a man he rates as a legend in Michael Schumacher.

The reigning world champion missed out on the opportunity to race against the seven-times king as Schumacher retired a month before Hamilton signed his first F1 contract.

But in the wake of Schumacher confirming he is to make a comeback at next month’s European Grand Prix as replacement for the injured Felipe Massa, Hamilton cannot wait to face the 40-year-old German. “I am excited by the possibility of Michael’s return, assuming it happens,” said Hamilton. “Michael is one of the sport’s greatest competitors, a legend in his own right, and it would be great to compete against him. The whole world will be watching his return to the cockpit in Valencia.

“It will not only be fascinating to see how he readies himself for his grand prix comeback, but also an honour and a privilege to race against him for the very first time. I wish him well.

“My thoughts, though, are still with Felipe and his family after his terrible accident in Hungary.”

Schumacher has decided to answer Ferrari’s call for help as it is almost certain Massa will miss the rest of the season.

Massa is continuing to make rapid progress from life-saving surgery after fracturing his skull in a freak accident during qualifying on Saturday for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old was struck on the helmet at 162mph by a suspension spring that had worked its way off Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP, the Brazilian then ploughing nose first into a tyre barrier.

Schumacher, even though he has been retired from F1 for almost three years, was always the most logical choice as replacement.

As a highly-paid advisor to the team who has been on the pitwall at many races, he still knows the current car, even if he has not been behind the wheel.

Schumacher, though, did test last season’s Ferrari towards the back end of the year, and as Jenson Button recalls, he was on the pace.

World championship leader Button sees no reason why Schumacher will not be fighting at the front come the race in Valencia.

“He’ll come back fit, and he will be quick,” Button said.

“He drove the car in the winter. He jumped in and on his first run he was competitive.

“He’s still young, 40 is not old, so he’ll still be competitive and his reactions will be there, especially coming up to qualifying.

“He will have been in the car for three hours, so I’m sure he’ll be up there with (team-mate) Kimi (Raikkonen).”

Button feels, though, Schumacher is a “very brave” man for taking up what he sees as a no-win challenge.

“It’s a strange situation because the reason for Michael being there is because another driver can’t take part,” added Button.

“So it’s a tough position for him to be in, although I’m happy he has taken up the challenge. It’s very brave of him.”