Schumi's doc gives him the all-clear

Despite initial fears, Michael Schumacher's doctor Johannes Peil says there is nothing wrong with the German's neck.

Concerns were raised about Schumacher's neck, which he injured in a motorbike at the beginning of last year, when Peil was seen in the Valencia paddock on Monday.

But having spent Monday afternoon lapping the Spanish track for his new team Mercedes GP - and set to return to the action today - Peil has downplayed reports, giving Schumacher the all-clear.

"The nicest thing is that Michael can focus completely on his driving," Peil told AFP.

"Nothing is bothering him, he doesn't feel constrained or bothered. We already had this impression during the preparation period and this impression was confirmed after the first 40 laps."

The severity of the seven-time World Champion's neck injury put an end to plans for him to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari midway through the 2009 Championship.

Peil, though, insists that won't happen this time around as they've had necessary time to prepare for Schumacher's return.

"The situations are different - this summer, the return date wasn't chosen by Michael and his team, this time we've been able to prepare calmly," Peil added.

Schumi's doc gives him the all-clear - Planet-F1 News from planet-f1.com