David Coulthard: Straight talk

Michael Schumacher's comeback to Formula 1 has turned from one of the greatest stories of the year to the biggest non-event so far, and he must be very disappointed to be forced to pull out of his return to Ferrari in Valencia.

It was suggested to me during an interview on Radio Five Live that he'd pulled out because he wasn't quick enough - that's just ridiculous. He would only announce he was coming back if he truly expected to get behind the wheel and race again. Clearly, his old neck injury has given him some issues.

I was standing in a line at an airport last week and the guy in front of me was giving it, 'This is terrible, I bought a ticket to go and see Schumacher racing at Valencia'. So I replied, "Imagine how the fans of Michael Jackson felt?" They'd bought tickets to see him at the O2 Dome, and they didn't get to see their idol because of much sadder circumstances.

It would've been awesome to see Schumacher out on track against the younger generation; let's just hope he makes it out for another one later in the year. Apart from the injury, he looked very well prepared for it.

It's a great opportunity for Luca Badoer to create his own piece of Ferrari history, because that car is certainly capable of a podium finish on the right day. Clearly, it's not going to be easy, but at least he won't have the media circus surrounding him that Michael would have had.

Renault gets the nod

You've got to respect the stewards' decision, but Renault's idea to appeal its race ban in Valencia turned out to be the right one.

In light of everything that's happened this year, with the financial crisis, it was good that the FIA Court of Appeal came up with an outcome that doesn't penalise the fans, and I'm glad we'll see Renault and local hero Fernando Alonso on track. Of course there wasn't any intent to impair or injure anyone by sending Fernando out at Budapest, it was a judgement call made in the heat of the moment.

Does Alonso need instruction from the team to retire a car? We're talking about a two-time world champion here, who was returning his car to the pits as quickly as was safe to do so. Okay, it lost its wheel, but did it cause an accident, did it harm anyone? Thankfully no, but I can fully understand the initial reaction given recent events.

On a more entertaining note, the departure of Nelson Piquet filled some column inches. Clearly it's a difficult place to be when the car isn't working well and you're up against Alonso. Does Piquet have the potential to live up to what was expected of him? You have to question that. Have we seen the best of him? Probably not. He didn't make the most of his chance; F1 is a brutal place.

Being outspoken like that creates more hassle than it's worth - Jacques Villeneuve was always like that. Doing that for the sake of it gives you nothing in return. Life's about channelling your energy, and if you think being controversial gets you results, then fire away.

Lewis goes for a double

What an amazing victory that was by Lewis Hamilton and McLaren Mercedes in Budapest - as predicted by AUTOSPORT, of course! But even I was amazed that this was achieved in such dominant style. They didn't win that by good fortune, it was a combination of the car suiting the track and conditions, as well as a great drive by Lewis.

Don't think that's the only time this year that a win is possible, and Valencia is very much a track that could suit them again. It's point and squirt, they have the KERS advantage, and there's a couple of long straights - and just look at the straightline speed figures the car achieved in Hungary.

The McLaren has worked its tyres well mechanically, and now that aerodynamic load has been added - which was missing previously - it has entered its competitive window. But, as we've seen with Brawn, it all depends on the tyre/asphalt interaction - if it all works, they'll be there, if it doesn't, they'll struggle.