Hamburg, July 30 (DPA) Motorsport's ruling body, the FIA, confirmed Thursday that Michael Schumacher will be granted the Formula One driving licence he needs if he is to race for Ferrari as Felipe Massa's replacement in next month's European Grand Prix in Valencia.

Seven-time world champion Schumacher last raced in F1 at the Brazilian GP on October 22, 2006 but an F1 licence automatically runs out at the end of each year.

However, Schumacher qualifies under FIA Article 5.1.2a, which states that a driver can be issued a licence if he has competed in a minimum of 15 races in the previous three years.

Schumacher fulfills this requirement as the 40-year-old was in the Ferrari cockpit for all 18 races in the 2006 season.

The German Motorsport Federation (DMSB) has already applied for the licence to FIA, well within the 14-day deadline before the European GP on August 23.