Hamburg - Bernie Ecclestone is ecstatic about the Formula One return of Michael Schumacher as ticket sales for the first race of the record champion are surging. The F1 commercial rights boss Ecclestone named Ferrari's decision to let the seven-time world champion take Massa's place "a big surprise" and "fantastic for the whole of Formula One" in Tuesday's edition of the Motorsport Aktuell magazine.
The seven-time world champion Schumacher will return to racing on August 23 at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. He takes the place of Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, who is sidelined with head injuries sustained on July 25 in qualifying for the Hungarian GP.
"I am convinced he wouldn't make this comeback of he wasn't convinced that he can perform well. One a racer, always a racer," said Ecclestone.
Schumacher confirmed he is serious about his return on Tuesday when he said on his website that he has already lost three kilos in a rigid fitness programme ahead of his first race in almost three years.
"I am preparing for my race at full speed. The first three kilos have gone," said the 40-year-old Schumacher.
The German said that he still has some neck problems in the wake of a motorcycle crash earlier in the year.
Valencia organizers, meanwhile, delighted in the fact that their ticket sales have surged since Schumacher's return for their event was announced last Wednesday.
"In the last week, since the announce of Ferrari, 10.000 tickets haven been sold. The previous week the number was barely 6.500," said Carlos Moreno Figueroa, operations director of Valmor Sports, the organization company.
Organizers have already sold 40.000 of the 75.000 seats available and the Schumacher-related sales could make up for the possible absence of home hero Fernando Alonso.
The Renault team of the two-time world champion is suspended for the race after a tyre flew off Alonso's car in Hungary. Renault have appealed the decision.
"The news of his (Schumacher's) return has been known the same week that the possible absence of the spanish idol Fernando Alonso. Therefore the tickets sale has been slightly compensated," said Moreno.
