Ralf to return in China

The German has been out of action since suffering concussion and fractured vertebrae in his back in a high speed crash during the United States Grand Prix in June but reported no problems after finally getting back in the cockpit this week.

"I was very happy to be back on the track at Silverstone and very pleased to find that the car has improved a lot since the last time I drove it," he said. "As I expected I didn't experience any pain in my back at all and I felt okay physically, thanks to the training I had done over the past couple of months."

Schumacher will still have to pass a medical test with F1 doctor Sid Watkins in China before he is given the final green light to race in Shanghai, but that is believed to be a formality. In the unlikely event that he fails, then Antonio Pizzonia will be put back in the car.

Pizzonia left the team impressed with his performances during his short stint with the team since the German Grand Prix and has boosted his chances of landing an F1 return after his disappointing half-campaign with Jaguar in 2003.

Technical director Sam Michael said: "He performed very well in the grands prix he drove for the team and more than exceeded expectations."

Williams will introduce further aerodynamic improvements for the China event in a bid to head off the challenge from McLaren in the fight for fourth place in the constructors' championship.