Michael Schumacher confirms F1 return

Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher has confirmed his return to Formula One in 2010 with the Mercedes team. The last couple of months have been rife with rumour about the future of the German, as the possibility of his return became more and more likely. The announcement of his return has now generated huge excitement as we look ahead to the 2010 season.

Schumacher, who will turn 41 on the 3rd of January, announced his intention to return to the sport at the Mercedes factory in Brackley, Northamptonshire. He will partner fellow German driver Nico Rosberg in an all-German ‘dream team’.

The Mercedes outfit has been formed from the ashes of the Brawn GP team, who succeeded in lifting both the drivers and constructors trophies in 2009. One of the main reasons for Schumacher joining the Mercedes team is the possibility to re-form his old partnership with Ross Brawn who guided the German to all of his seven world titles at both Benetton and Ferrari.

Speaking to the BBC Schumacher was clearly delighted with his return, and could barely disguise his excitement saying:

“I’m very motivated, thrilled and excited. I want to have fun out there and I feel as fresh as ever. I’ve recharged myself after a three-year break. The challenge is what I look for – I want to know it.”

Schumacher celebrates victory at Florianopolis

Schumacher has not raced in Formula One since the end of the 2006 season, and ended his career on a high with a superb drive at the Brazilian Grand Prix. There is no reason to suspect he has lost any of his drive, determination or talent in the three years he has been away, and we will soon see if the German maintains his skill behind the wheel of a racing car. It would be a brave person that bet against him having a strong impact on the running order in 2010. The German public are certainly behind his return with the BBC claming that 70% of Germans believe Schumacher will be world champion in 2010.

His recent outing in a charity karting event at the fantastic Florianopolis circuit in Brazil saw him win the first race and ‘gift’ Felipe Massa the second, resulting in overall victory in the two-day event,  illustrating he is still able to mix competitively with current F1 drivers. This is sure to have been one of the motivating factors to fuel Schumacher’s desire for a return to F1.

Money does not seem to be a motivating factor for the German as he is believed to be earning just £6.2m for his return – a fraction of the huge wages he enjoyed as a Ferrari driver from 1996-2006. It is believed that the neck problems that prevented Schumacher from making his comeback in 2009 after the terrible accident that beset Felipe Massa in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix are now no longer an issue and he confirmed this saying;

“Confidence comes from some serious training with my neck to make sure it can withstand what it couldn’t in the summer. There is no further issue with the neck – 100%.”

Love him or hate him few would deny that this announcement will add spice to the 2010 season, and Grand Prix Blogger certainly eagerly awaits the 2010 campaign with baited breath.

For more information on the career of Michael Schumacher you may like to read the two-part feature from Grand Prix Blogger which can be found by clicking the following links:

Michael Schumacher, the early years
Michael Schumacher, the Ferrari years