Monday August 23rd, 1999

Ferrari and Michael Schumacher will make a decision on whether the German will race at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix only by Wednesday. The FIA regulations allow the team to announce its line-up by Thursday.

Schumacher is expected to run a further medical examination this week and would also require medical scrutiny by the FIA's chief doctor, Prof. Syd Watkins, who will also test Schumacher's speed of exiting the cockpit - the regulations requiring he be able to get out of his car within five seconds.

In the mean time Schumacher has been riding a mountain bike to regain his leg's muscle fitness. Since his successful return to driving, at the Mugello track last Friday, he has been relaxing in a French Rivera resort, mountain biking every day.

Ferrari refused to say whether they expect Schumacher to be back by Belgium, although the team is certain he will be attending the Italian Grand Prix, which follows the Belgian one.