For no good reason whatsoever, it seems that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will step back into an Formula One car from the European Grand Prix onwards, according to a statement from the Ferrari team.
Schumacher's name has been dropped into the mix a few times, as speculation grew as to who would replace the injured Brazilian while he recuperates from injuries sustained in his accident in Hungary, but it seemed most likely that test driver Marc Gene would cover for him. However this evening, Ferrari confirmed that Schumacher is being "prepared" for a return to the cockpit.
The statement from Ferrari said that the German was "ready" to make a return to the sport that he retired from at the end of 2006, and will undertake a full training programme in the run up to the race in Valencia, which is still over three weeks away.
Schumacher has been asked about plans to return to driving, but aside from the odd motorbike race, he has always maintained that he would not return to a full-time role. However, with Massa guaranteed a role with the team once he has recovered fully, and the team in need of a proven driver to fill in, the chance to pit himself against F1's latest crop appears to have been too good to turn down.
"The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive. I wish him all the best again," Schumacher said earlier, "I was meeting this afternoon with Stefano Domenicali and Luca di Montezemolo, and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe.
"Though it is true that the chapter of Formula 1 has been completely closed for me for a long time, it is also true that for loyalty reasons to the team I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation. But as the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."
Schumacher, who is currently employed by Ferrari in an advisory role, which seems to involve sitting on the pit wall every now and again looking a bit miffed, has not raced an F1 car since the final race in 2006, though he has completed several one-off tests for the Scuderia since retiring, most recently in April 2008.
He has, however, never driven the 2009-spec Ferrari, and due to testing restrictions will not get to turn a lap in it until the opening practice session in Valencia.
If he does return, it will also be the first time he races alongside the man who supposedly replaced him at Ferrari, the docile Finn Kimi Raikkonen. The main task for the duo over the remaining races would be to wrap up third in the constructors standings for the team, with both titles already well out of reach.
The F60 has shown renewed pace recently, with Raikkonen finishing second in Hungary as Ferrari's sole representative in the race, and it remains one of only two cars to be fitted with a KERS device, which should prove useful at the upcoming tracks.
Schumacher's announcement comes despite his manager Willi Weber seeming to rule out the move yesterday, when he said that: "Whoever sits in the car at the next race in Valencia, it will not be Michael Schumacher. I am not 100 per cent sure; I am 200 per cent sure.
"The pressure on him would be huge. He would be expected to win, but he has not driven this car. When Michael was racing he would get as close to perfection as possible. In this case, it would not be perfection; it would be a gamble - and that's not Michael's style."
Whether or not the whole announcement is an elaborate joke on the part of Schumacher and the team remains to be determined.
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