"The possibility [of Schumacher driving] is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen," stated Eddie Jordan. "It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix."

The meeting, a casual chat in the pitlane, was nothing more than a group of people who know each other well enjoying some time together, at least to the casual observer. However, Jordan has taken that conversation and run with it, creating a stunning work of fiction that he appears to believe more as he makes it up.

"At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari. But I understand he was due to meet Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released - and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1."

Ross Brawn is clearly working hard to bring Schumacher to Brackley, if Jordan is correct. "I believe that is being planned at the moment," ho goes on. "I also believe Ross and Michael have spoken in recent times and that Michael likes the idea of driving a Mercedes run by Ross. It's a mouth-watering idea. Schumacher was bitterly disappointed he didn't get to come back to replace Massa - he's keen to race again. And this is a dream for both parties."

Playing on the historic Mercedes partnership with Schumacher, where the German drove for the team in various disciplines, Jordan even manages to shoehorn in his old F1 team.

"Michael and Mercedes go way back - he drove for their sportscar team before he raced in F1, and they were responsible for getting him in to F1. They paid the then Jordan team to give him his debut in 1991. He has won all these titles but never driven in F1 for Mercedes."

Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's spokesperson, commented recently "You can never say never in this sport, but to me, it is highly unlikely at the moment."

Last night she added "My personal opinion has really not changed. I can see lots of tempting things in it for Michael, but I can also see a lot of non-tempting things. I don't know. It is as it was in August [when he was keen to stand in for injured Massa] when you couldn't tell what was going to happen. Then I was convinced Michael would never come back and, suddenly, all the circumstances were right for him. I still think it is unlikely, but you never know."

Even Bernie Ecclestone, unusually, poured cold water on the prospect, commenting "I would think it's most unlikely. I don't see any reason why he should. I would be very doubtful it would happen."

Whilst there's no direct word from the German himself, team principal Ross Brawn should know what's going on, and he was quite clear: "The issue now haunts the media, I know," said Brawn to Bild, "but there is nothing in it. The media are trying to put together a dream. Michael would have returned to the cockpit for Ferrari, but only temporarily. He has no ambitions to start a new career."