Michael Schumacher a possible replacement for Massa at Ferrari

Michael Schumacher has could possibly return to Ferrari next season, in a shocking move that would see the 7-time World Champion replace Felipe Massa at the Scuderia. This comes after speculation that Lewis Hamilton could be set to move to Mercedes, and replace the current German legend alongside Nico Rosberg.

However, Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, believes that Michael Schumacher could prove himself as a “short-term fix” for Ferrari, who are believed to be searching for a replacement for Felipe Massa. The Brazilian driver, who has raced for Ferrari since 2006, has endured several highly uncompetitive seasons in Formula 1 and has been rumored to be moving away from Maranello for several months. Michael Schumacher now joins a long list of drivers including the likes of Nico Hulkenberg, Adrian Sutil and even Jenson Button as a potential replacement for Felipe Massa.

Michael Schumacher enjoyed a practically unstoppable decade with Ferrari, after moving to the Scuderia as the reigning Champion in 1996. Schumacher then won five consecutive Championship titles from 2000 to 2004, an era when Schumacher asserted himself as the most successful F1 driver of all time. The German initially retired from the sport after the 2006 season, however he was lured back to F1 by former Ferrari colleague Ross Brawn to race for Mercedes alongside Nico Rosberg. The German has endured three uncompetitive seasons in comparison to his former Ferrari glory, with Schumacher rumored to be departing once again once this season comes to a conclusion.

However, a recent report has emerged forming speculation that Michael Schumacher could move to Ferrari for one final season, thus giving Ferrari enough time to find a worthy long-term team-mate for Fernando Alonso. This move would then enable Ferrari to part company with Felipe Massa, and would also open the door for Lewis Hamilton to join the Mercedes outfit.

"The likelihood is that Michael would step down but there might be an opening at Ferrari for him because there is still a big question mark against Felipe Massa’s career there," explained F1 commentator, David Croft on the Sky Sports F1 website. “Michael would be a good short-term solution - he might not necessarily challenge Fernando Alonso but he would push him. Michael’s not had the greatest season but it’s not all been his fault and I think there might be enough of the old magic left to tempt Ferrari."

Whether or not these rumors will come to fruition, or whether they will simply remain rumors and die out once the F1 fraternity moves on to Singapore remains to seen. What is clear though is that both Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa are all currently without a contract for next season, with all three sternly denying any rumors that they will be moving elsewhere for 2013.

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