Ralf ready for racing return in China

Ralf Schumacher is adamant memories of his horror crash at Indianapolis three months ago will not hamper his comeback in this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Schumacher cracked bones in his back in a high-speed crash in the United States in June, ruling him out for 12 weeks.

He endured a frustrating convalescence, with his comeback put back several times amid warnings he could be paralysed in a similar accident.

His healing is now complete and preparing to return to a Williams cockpit competitively for the first time since his accident, the German was relaxed.

He said: “I can’t remember a thing about the crash. When I see pictures of it, maybe I was lucky to still be around but I won’t do anything different. Racing is what I love to do.

“It would have been easy to stay at home but I wanted to come back. Certainly, there are little things and details I have to get into again but it’s a tremendous circuit and I’m ready.”

Schumacher’s return to Williams only lasts three races before an end-of-season move to Toyota and he concedes the change in team will be a shock.

“Somehow it’s a bit difficult,” he said. “I was here for six years – longer than any other driver in the past [at Williams] and to walk away is not easy.

“But after Brazil I leave the team, so I would like to finish in a good way with good results in the last three races and go in peace.”

Toyota’s driver line-up for next season has suffered undue upheaval in recent months with Schumacher injured and Jarno Trulli sacked by Renault after a dip in form.

Schumacher said of Trulli’s difficulties: “I am a bit surprised Renault let him go.

“So far he has been better than Fernando Alonso this year. Jarno is a very uncomplicated, nice person and I’m more than happy to be with him.”