Frank Williams says he hopes Ralf Schumacher will be racing again before the end of the season. But there are compelling reasons to believe that Schumacher may not drive for the Williams team again - and that could have a significant impact on the F1 driver market.
Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber has said he came back too quickly last season from his testing accident in Italy.
And his performances since then - apart from the 2004 Canadian Grand Prix where he took pole position and finished second - are ample justification for that view.
Schumacher has scored just 12 points out of a possible 110.
He has been a ghost compared to the charger who stormed into championship contention with back-to-back wins last summer.
Being knocked out by the 170mph impact in Indianapolis was a sickening blow.
Now that doctors in Germany have diagnosed two spinal fractures, Schumacher will surely consider a comeback only when he is wholly convinced that his body and mind are ready.
 |  Insiders believe he may not be fit enough to race again in 2004 |
Bitter experience since last September suggests that he may want, and need, the full three months recommended by the consultants in Frankfurt.
F1 sources have revealed that his concussion had already made him an unlikely starter at Hockenheim at the end of July.
And because of the nature of his injuries, insiders now believe he may not be fit enough to race again in 2004.
The summer testing ban means he cannot return to the cockpit until 1 September at the earliest.
But the prospect of bouncing over the kerbs through Monza's three unforgiving chicanes is hardly attractive to a man recovering from fractured vertebrae.
That would rule out the Italian Grand Prix in mid-September, leaving only the final three inter-continental races in China, Japan and Brazil.
 Webber is likely to jump at the chance to switch to Williams early |
Factor in Schumacher's impending deal with Toyota from 2005, and the case for some long-term planning at Williams becomes highly appealing.
It is significant that their official test driver, Marc Gene has been confirmed only for this weekend's French Grand Prix.
It allows Williams leeway to look at such alternatives as second test driver, Antonio Pizzonia, Jacques Villeneuve, Anthony Davidson and Jaguar's Mark Webber who's set to sign for the team for next season.
Webber would surely be interested in making the move early because Jaguar are currently marking time while Ford's financial future is dogged by uncertainty.
And Williams would welcome the opportunity to start work as soon as possible with the ambitious Australian whom they rate so highly.
If the team were really contemplating a mid-season switch involving a fit Ralf Schumacher, then they can surely make a move in his enforced absence.
Webber's manager, Flavio Briatore is expected to announce this weekend that Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso are staying with Renault for 2005.
That would indicate that Webber's Williams deal is done except for the final details and signature.
How much financial adjustment would be needed to accommodate this unforeseen opening?
Jaguar have already been linked with Italy's F3000 star, Vitantonio Luizzi, who has strong ties with one of the team's backers, Red Bull.
The stumbling block, however, is the team's understandable determination to improve their lowly ninth place in this season's constructors' championship.
Mark Webber is their key weapon.
The other Marc in the equation - Marc Gene - has an important role too.
His excitement at racing in F1 again and his rapport with Juan Pablo Montoya, a fellow Spanish speaker, could offer much needed harmony to a team reeling from three dreadful races.
 Gene could bring Spanish-speaking spirit to Williams |
He finished fifth when he stood in for Schumacher last year and will be aiming to match or better that performance this weekend to secure his drive for the British Grand Prix, if not beyond.
There's encouragement too, because the FW26 will feature a raft of modifications that could push it alongside BAR, and closer to Ferrari.
"We've made several aerodynamic and mechanical changes which should improve our competitiveness around Magny-Cours," said Williams technical director Sam Michael.
They include a new radiator and new side pods, with an overall package to make the rear wing work more effectively.
Williams dominated the French weekend 12 months ago, claiming a notable 1-2 finish from a front row start.
It featured Ralf Schumacher's last victory in their colours.
After this latest medical bulletin, it remains to be seen if it was his final honour with the team.
MMIX
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