FRANKFURT: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher says he is slimming down for his Formula One comeback and that the only problem is a little pain in his neck.

Schumacher, 40, retired at the end of the 2006 season but has agreed to return to his old team Ferrari temporarily while Felipe Massa recovers from injuries he suffered in a life-threatening crash during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix ten days ago.

Schumacher's first race is expected to be the European Grand Prix in Valencia on Aug 23. He has made his comeback contingent on passing a medical checkup.