Ralf set for Tuesday return

The German will join Williams in a three-day test at Silverstone this week and, all being well, should return to grand-prix action at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix at the end of the month.

"Ralf will test on Tuesday," technical director Sam Michael confirmed. "Hopefully he'll do three days at Silverstone, everything will be okay and then he'll race in Shanghai."

Schumacher was replaced by reserve driver Marc Gene for the French and British Grand Prix before test driver Antonio Pizzonia took over the reins of the FW26 in Germany, Hungary, Belgium and for last weekend's Italian race.

Williams has admitted that its missed Schumacher's experience and wants him back in the cockpit as soon as possible to defend its fourth spot in the constructors' championship from an invigorated McLaren.

"Because he's a guy with a lot of experience in the car we have missed him, it's been detrimental," Michael said. "The gap is only eight points and you can lose that in one grand prix so it's just not enough of a bumper to be comfortable at all."

Schumacher had hoped to return to racing action at Monza but was denied the opportunity by his insurers who had stipulated a minimum 12-week recovery time.