time world champion Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One for the European Grand Prix later this month is still subject to him passing a medical for a niggling neck problem, his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said on Wednesday. The 40-year-old, who will replace injured Felipe Massa in the Ferrari team for the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, on August 23, and possibly for the rest of the season, injured his neck in a motorcycle accident last February. But Kehm insisted the injury could hamper his return. “He's still not absolutely certain that his neck will hold up. His return depends on medical examinations which have yet to take place. Only after these tests will it be clear if he can drive,” Kehm said. Massa leaves hospital Massa left the hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday after a series of medical tests ruled out the need for further surgery, his personal physician said. “We did new exams and the conclusion is that Felipe has no need of a new surgery right now,” physician Dino Altman told reporters.
