FRANKFURT (AP) — Michael Schumacher is trying to get his 40-year-old body back in shape as he prepares for his Formula One comeback next month.
The seven-time champion is filling in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa and hopes to race at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, on Aug. 23.
Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season, and his return has prompted great anticipation in his home country of Germany.
The comeback is contingent on Schumacher passing a battery of medical tests that could take several days, his doctor, Johannes Peil, said Thursday.
"Had Michael not worked so hard in recent months, all this would not have been possible," Peil said.
Schumacher was considered one of the fittest drivers in his racing days. Peil said the former champion has been working out at home regularly, especially on his neck muscles.
In February, Schumacher crashed during a motorcycle race and sustained neck injuries never described in detail. He is not believed to have raced on two wheels since. Neck muscles are critical for Formula One drivers, who experience great G forces during a race.
Schumacher holds nearly all Formula One records and won 91 races in 250 starts. His return was welcome news to a sport that has been hit by a series of setbacks, including the withdrawal of two major manufacturers within less than a year. Honda pulled out after last season and BMW announced its withdrawal hours before Schumacher made his decision public.
The manufacturers have been feuding with the sport's administrators about cost cutting moves and other rules in recent months. Television ratings have also been dropping in Germany, one of its top markets.
"This is the best thing that could happen to Formula One and it's simply great for our sport," said Mercedes motor sports chief Norbert Haug.
Former world champion Niki Lauda, also a Ferrari alumnus, warned against huge expectations.
"He doesn't know the circuit in Valencia, he doesn't know the car, he is not allowed to do any test driving," Lauda said. "There are tougher conditions than for his rivals. And on top, Ferrari doesn't have a top car."
The circuit in Valencia has been modified since Schumacher's retirement and testing has been banned to save costs.
World championship leader Jenson Button of Brawn GP expects a tough challenge from Schumacher next month. He described him as "brave" for coming out of retirement.
"Ferrari are very lucky because they have someone working in their team who can jump straight into the car and be competitive — and Michael will be," Button said. "It's an interesting one, though, because if he wins people will say they expected him too, and if he doesn't, they will say he should not have come back."
Schumacher has been acting as a consultant for Ferrari since his retirement. He steps in for Massa, who was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car and crashed during qualifying Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Brazilian was left with multiple skull fractures in the accident and doctors say he will not race again this season.
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AP Sports Writer Rob Harris in London contributed to this report.
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