Ralf Schumacher won’t be racing at Monza, but not because he failed a fitness test – as was widely publicised. The German’s insurance firm prohibits him from an early return to the FW26 cockpit.
Ralf Schumacher won’t be racing at Monza, but not because he failed a fitness test – as was widely publicised. The German’s insurance firm prohibits him from an early return to the FW26 cockpit.
Williams-BMW announced on Tuesday that Ralf Schumacher would not be testing at Monza this week and would not be taking part in the Italian Grand Prix. After the German underwent medical checks at the Bad Nauheim sports injury clinic, doctors said he was not fit enough for testing at Monza.
However, Schumacher on Thursday confirmed that he passed his fitness test with no problems, but his insurance company determined that a back injury, such as that sustained at Indianapolis, requires at least a 12 week recuperation period.
The Italian Grand Prix takes place 12 weeks after his US Grand Prix smash, but the German was therefore unable to test this week at the circuit.
“These 12 weeks would have been exactly on Monza weekend,” Schumacher said. “So far no problem. However (racing) is possible only after a preceding test. That would have been this week in Monza. For the insurance, it’s too early – exactly around one week too early. No exception, no release!”
