Schumacher Would Welcome Hakkinen Return

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher says he would love to see old rival Mika Hakkinen return to Formula One, even if he doesn't believe it will happen.

The Finn, World Champion with McLaren in 1998 and 1999, quit Formula One at the end of 2001. The 35-year-old denied reports this week that he was planning a comeback with Williams.

"I think it will be difficult being completely out of Grands Prix for two years," said Schumacher, now a six-times World Champion.

Schumacher has said that Hakkinen was the driver he respected most among his rivals and he paid tribute to the Finn's skills again at the European Grand Prix on Thursday.

"He has this natural talent. He will always have that but to come back after a long pause and not doing anything with Formula One - even testing here and there - will be difficult.

"But I think a lot of people will be very happy - and I would be one of them - to see him back. He has been a great competitor. But obviously we are in the 'silly season'," he added.

Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes both Hakkinen and Jacques Villeneuve could be competitive if they made a comeback in Formula One next season.

"So, Jacques and Mika next year at Williams?!" joked Montoya when asked about the rumours. "Mika probably could (be competitive). If he does plenty of testing he will probably be competitive, yeah. I think something you learn like driving you are not going to forget.

"You probably need more time to get the experience back but it would probably be okay, same as Jacques."

Formula One is full of speculation about driver moves at the moment, with the Williams team and the future of Michael's brother Ralf in the spotlight along with a possible return for 1997 World Champion Villeneuve.

Asked about all the rumours about former champions, Brazilian Rubens Barrichello quipped: "I hear that Emerson Fittipaldi is coming back."

Fittipaldi, 57, retired in 1980.