World Championship leader Jenson Button insists Michael Schumacher isn’t over the hill and can compete at the top in Formula One.

Video interview by Wendy Lloyd.

The seven-time world champion made a sensational return to F1 with Ferrari this week as replacement for Felipe Massa – with the Brazilian out for the season after his freak accident in Hungary.

Schumacher, who retired in 2006, will make his comeback at Valencia on August 23, after Massa was left with a fractured skull when a spring from Rubens Barrichello’s car hit him on the head on Sunday.

And, despite turning 40 in January, Button is convinced the German still has the skill and ability to compete.

“He’s not going to suddenly lose it because he’s the big four ‘O’ and I expect him to be on the pace,” said the Brawn GP driver. “He’ll be pushing his team-mate (Kimi Raikonnen) very hard. Ferrari have a good car now and they will be at the front.

“He’s fit, he’s been on his bike a lot and you need to be fit to ride that. He’s got time to work on his neck muscles and his reaction is there.

“He tested the F1 car in the winter with the slick tyres and was very competitive. Michael is the perfect person to fill in while Felipe is unwell.”

Button holds an 18.5 point lead over Red Bull’s Mark Webber in the race for the drivers’ title and Schumacher’s return has added to his excitement this season.

He said: “This year F1 has been fantastic, and it’s not just because I’m leading the world championship. We’ve got new teams fighting, Ferrari catching up, good racing and Michael Schumacher back in Valencia. I just wish Ferrari had three cars and Felipe was racing too.

“It’s a weird situation as drivers are quite emotional. Michael is jumping into the car Felipe was driving so it’s exciting he’s there but sad Felipe isn’t.”

Button was in Birmingham for Bridgestone’s Driving Nation roadshow to meet local drivers in a week which has also seen BMW withdraw from next season – but the 29-year-old is hopeful their exit will be the last one.

He said: “I hope they’re the last. F1 is a competitive place and great place for manufactures to compete. It’s great place to work on future projects be it safety or making them environmentally friendly. It’s surprising they have pulled out.”

By Nick Mashiter