It isn't just race fans who are looking forward to the return of Michael Schumacher next month, many of the drivers who will line up on the grid with the German legend in Valencia are equally enthusiastic.

"I am excited by the possibility of Michael Schumacher's return to F1, assuming it happens," said Lewis Hamilton, "but my thoughts are still with Felipe and his family following his terrible accident in Hungary.

"Michael is one of the sport's greatest competitors and a legend in his own right," added the Englishman, "and it would be great to compete against him. The whole world will be watching his return to the cockpit in Valencia and it will not only be fascinating to see how he readies himself for his comeback but also an honour and a privilege to race against him for the very first time."

A few races back, it seemed unlikely that Brawn would be troubled much by Ferrari this season. However, a step forward by the Maranello outfit coupled with a string of poor racers for the Brackley team means that World Championship leader Jenson Button is likely to find himself scrapping for points with the 7-time champ.

"It will be good to have Michael racing again," Button told the BBC. "There are very good people out there racing at the moment, but to have Michael there again will be very special, although I'm sure we all wish Felipe was there also.

"It's an interesting situation," added the Englishman, "because if he wins people will say they expected him to, and if he doesn't, they will say he should not have come back. I'm happy he has taken up the challenge. It's very brave of him."

The man who most people will be watching in Valencia next month is the man who stepped into Schumacher's boots - and cockpit - at the end of 2009, Kimi Raikkonen. As ever, the Finn opted for brevity, choosing to keep his enthusiasm under warps.

"We had many good battles in the past," he said, "but it will be extra special to fight with Michael as my team-mate."