LONDON, 18 September 2004 — Ralf Schumacher will make his race comeback from injury at next week’s Chinese Grand Prix, his Williams team said yesterday. “Ralf will be back in the car for China, joining teammate Juan Pablo (Montoya),” said technical director Sam Michael in a statement.
Ralf, younger brother of Ferrari’s seven times world champion Michael Schumacher, has missed the last six races after crashing heavily into a concrete wall in the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in June. Spanish test driver Marc Gene and Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia have stood in for him. “It’s good to be back in the car again,” said the 29-year-old German, who suffered two spinal fractures in the crash, after testing at Silverstone this week.
Villeneuve to Drive for Renault in Final Three Races
Renault yesterday announced that Jacques Villeneuve will drive the final three races of the Formula One season for the team — beginning with next week’s Chinese Grand Prix. The Canadian, who has not driven in a Grand Prix since leaving BAR-Honda last year, will partner Spain’s Fernando Alonso. He received the offer to drive the Renault after completing a successful two-day test this week at Silverstone. Team boss Flavio Briatore said that he was very excited to have signed Villeneuve for the final three races.
