Former triple world champion, Niki Lauda has hailed the news of Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One racing as the most exciting thing to happen in Motor Racing after it was confirmed that the German star would indeed stand in for the injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari.

Michael’s new role will start in the upcoming Valencia GP, a circuit he has yet to experience as it is only new to the calendar, and is set to continue until Felipe Massa is ready to return to the cockpit. Michael is thrilled to be doing his part for the team and Lauda believes that the seven time world champion will have no problems fitting back into the seat he vacated several years ago.

Niki was thirty three years old when he returned to racing while Michael is seven years older, however, Lauda has no doubts about his ability to perform.

“I am not saying that Michael will win, because that depends on the speed of the car,” he told the Daily Mail. “But I have absolutely no doubts about his ability to perform as well as ever. I have no concerns about his reflexes, he will be brilliant. The most interesting thing will be to see him up against Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari, who will be faster? Put it this way, Kimi will need to get his act together or be shown up.”