According to BMW Motorsport boss, Mario Theissen, Ralf Schumacher is targeting next month's Hungarian GP, for his return to the cockpit.

Originally it was thought that the German would miss just one or two races, but this was based on the original diagnosis in America when it was thought he'd suffered merely bruising and a concussion. Subsequently, on his return to Europe, he was found to have suffered two spinal fractures. As a result it was thought he could be out for up to twelve weeks.

Speaking at Silverstone today, where the German is replaced by Marc Gene, Theissen admitted that Schumacher is keen to get back to work.

"I spoke to him and he's quite optimistic," said the German. "He wants to move faster than the doctors. He thinks he can be back in the car at Hungary. I don't know if the doctors support that already but he'll have a medical check next week and we'll know more then.

"I'm really looking forward to him being back in the car," he continued, "and we expect some really strong races from him and some really strong performances in setting up the car and the development of this year's car down to the final race."

Earlier this week it was finally confirmed that Schumacher is heading to Toyota for 2005.

If Ralf is back for Hungary, that would mean him missing only one more race, his home Grand Prix (Germany) at the end of this month.