Ferrari Guru is Back

After several days of speculation, Ferrari announced on Wednesday that seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher will indeed replace the injured Felipe Massa in next month's European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain.



An announcement on Ferrari's Web site said that Schumacher, 40, will begin training immediately to make sure he is in shape for his comeback and that he is ready to go. Schumacher suffered some injuries during the winter after crashing a racing motorcycle, and the team needs to be sure he is fit. Regardless, the news comes as a strange contradiction to what the 40-year-old German's manager, Willi Weber, told the Daily Mail in comments published Tuesday. Webber said that he was "200 percent" sure that Schumacher would not fill the vacant seat. However, AutoWeek reported on Sunday that Schumacher topped the list of candidates for the job.

Sorry, Willi.

"The most important thing first: Thanks God, all news concerning Felipe are positive. I wish him all the best again," the most successful F1 driver of all time said.

"I was meeting this afternoon with [team boss] Stefano Domenicali and [Ferrari president] 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 Formula One has been closed for me since long and completely, 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."

The European Grand Prix on Aug. 23 will mark the first time that Schumacher races alongside Ferrari's Kimi Raïkkönen, and it will be the first time that he experiences F1's new slick tires and kinetic-energy-recovery system. In his favor, upcoming races take place at tracks known to be among Schumacher's favorites: Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Suzuka. Schumacher has not raced at Valencia, Singapore or Abu Dhabi, which also are among the upcoming events.


Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090729/F1/907299991#ixzz0MuDuibU2

Federer record 15th Slam

Roger Federer became tennis's greatest men's champion, watched by a legion of champions, as he beat Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 in four hours and 16 minutes to claim his sixth Wimbledon crown. It was also a record 15th Grand Slam title for the Swiss master, overhauling the total of Pete Sampras who was in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.

It was a truly momentous climax to the 2009 Championships as the 27-year-old Swiss became the most successful man in the sport. Sampras, previous holder of that title, had been an unannounced surprise visitor to Wimbledon – where he has not been seen since 2002.

The American arrived three games into the contest, but then sat as enraptured as the rest of the crowd as the two gladiators battled through 77 games, the most seen at any Wimbledon final.

Centre Court - Gentlemen's Singles - Finals

	Andy Roddick USA (6)					7		66		65		6		14
	Roger Federer SUI (2)					5		78		77		3		16

Brett Lee will miss first Ashes Test due to Strain

Australia's Brett Lee has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test and is a serious doubt for the second. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

Australia's Ashes plans have been thrown into disarray less than 48 hours before the start of the series in Cardiff with the news that their fastest bowler, Brett Lee, is to miss the first Test – and in all probability the second – with a side strain.

Lee felt soreness in his left rib area following Australia's four-day game in Worcester last week, and went for a scan this morning in Cardiff. The Cricket Australia physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris, said the scan "revealed he has a small strain in one of his abdominal muscles – the internal oblique muscle".

"It is not as bad as it could have been, so we are going to monitor it over the next couple of weeks," added Kountouris. Asked if Lee, 32, would be fit for next week's second Test at Lord's, the physio said: "He is not out but the chances are slim."

Lee, who has not played Test cricket since December following ankle surgery, added: "This is only a small obstacle put in front of me. If it was my ankle and something of a structural thing I would be a lot more concerned."

"Being a fast bowler, injuries are the nature of the beast and I will be working hard to look to bowl again around the two-week mark and reassess after that. For the first time in a number of years I have bowled totally pain-free in the ankle, so the surgery and rehabilitation has been a real success, which is great.