Schumacher may not return

Eddie Irvine's world championship aspirations have been dealt a major blow with the news that Michael Schumacher may not race again this season.

The former world champion returned to the Ferrari team for testing last week and it had been hoped he would replace stand-in driver Mika Salo in the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 17th to help guide Irvine to the title.

Irvine told German newspaper Bild: "I can become world champion but only with Michael's help."

But Schumacher, who has been back in his Ferrari to test his recovery from a broken leg, said: "These test drives are no guarantee that I will be able to start in Malaysia as well."

The news comes as a great blow to Irvine - currently second in the drivers' championship standings on 60 points, two behind leader Mika Hakkinen.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo added: "I have spoken with Michael and the chances that he will start in Malaysia stand at about 50 per cent.

"But he can hardly expect it to get any better and nor do I. The pin in his right leg is causing him problems. It is pressing on the nerve and causing him pain."

Schumacher, who broke his leg crashing out of July's British Grand Prix, lies sixth in the drivers' championship with 32 points.