No fear over shunts, says Ralf

The German successfully completed a three-day test at Silverstone last week and, pending a final medical check by F1 doctor Sid Watkins in Shanghai on Thursday, he should be back in action for the first Chinese Grand Prix. He has been unable to race because of fractured vertebrae he suffered in a high-speed crash at Indianapolis.

Speaking to Swiss weekly Motorsport Aktuell, Schumacher made it clear that there was no lasting psychological damage from the accident - even though his brother Michael had a lucky escape of his own from a high-speed crash during pre-Italian Grand Prix testing at Monza.

"Physically I feel perfect," said Schumacher. "And there was not one moment of fear. You have to bear in mind that I cannot remember my crash - and I cannot even remember going into the US Grand Prix at all."

When asked about whether his brother's fortunate escape from injury at Monza had given him second thoughts about getting back behind the wheel, Ralf claimed that his acceptance of the sport's risks have not changed.

"Michael was lucky in a way that he hit the all at a convenient angle and later just slid along the guardrail," added Schumacher. "Things like that happen when the mechanical side of a racing car lets you down.

"Driving an F1 car remains dangerous, but so is roofing - or riding a horse where you have many accidents with severe outcomes. I see all that in a rather sober fashion."