Michael Schumacher confirms F1 return with Mercedes!

[JulesMaximus]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=47572

Michael Schumacher will come out of retirement to make a sensational Formula 1 return with Mercedes GP next year.

After speculation reached fever pitch in recent days, the comeback plan was confirmed in a press conference at the team’s factory on Wednesday morning.

The deal reunites the German with Ross Brawn, the man who masterminded all seven of his world titles with Benetton and Ferrari and who runs Mercedes GP having saved the Brackley-based squad from closure in a management buyout last winter.

It is a spectacular coup for Mercedes-Benz, which guided Schumacher from sports cars into F1 in 1991 but – in its role as McLaren part-owner and engine supplier – could only look on enviously as its protégé rewrote the sport’s record books with Ferrari.

The German manufacturer recently bought a 75% shareholding in the team from Brawn and now has an all-German driver line-up for its ‘Silver Arrows’ – with Schumacher, who will turn 41 in January, partnering 24-year-old Nico Rosberg next season.

“I am delighted that we can confirm today that Michael will make his much-anticipated return to Formula 1 next year and drive for our Mercedes GP Petronas team," said team principal Brawn.

“As seven-time world champion, Michael’s outstanding record in Formula 1 speaks for itself and I am looking forward to working with him again.”

German newspaper Bild reports that Schumacher stands to earn approximately £6 million in 2010. The deal is believed to be for just one year but is likely to include options to extend it if the comeback goes well.

Schumacher retired from F1 at the top of his game in 2006, narrowly losing that year’s title to Fernando Alonso but signing off with one of the best and most memorable drives of his career in the Brazilian GP.

Although he has always denied ruing the decision to hang up his helmet, it wasn’t long before he was testing Ferrari’s F1 cars again and dabbling in motorcycle racing, as well as remaining closely involved in the Italian team through a consultancy contract.

When Felipe Massa was sidelined from the second half of the 2009 season following his accident in qualifying for July’s Hungarian GP, Schumacher enthusiastically accepted Ferrari’s request that he deputise for his friend and former team-mate.

But he had to abandon that planned comeback on medical advice owing to a lingering neck injury sustained a motorbike accident in February, leaving him “disappointed to the core”.

It was clear that Schumacher’s appetite for competition had been rekindled by the episode – if it ever went away – and he was soon linked with Mercedes after the carmaker bought into Brawn GP and reigning world champion Jenson Button created a vacancy by defecting to McLaren.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

within minutes of the announcement, bookmakers were giving 5:1 on his winning the 2010 title. with 8 legit contenders, 2010 is set to be the best f1 season yet.

 

[punjabiplaya]

exciting!

 

[videogames101]

This should be interesting, haha.

 

[mafia]

So he won't be the Stig anymore? Some say he never really was.

 

[Gimli43Orcs]

Wonder if he will change his helmet colour from red to silver

 

[DivideBYZero]

2010 is going to be great.

 

[boomhower]

This is going to get interesting. I hope he does well and it doesn't turn out to be an embarrassment like so many other athletes than came out of retirement.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Wha? And Ferrari is going to let him???

 

[PricklyPete]

This is awesome. Will be really interesting to see how he does against the new talent and with a different technical foundation.

 

[beat mania]

This is going to get interesting. I hope he does well and it doesn't turn out to be an embarrassment like so many other athletes than came out of retirement.

The will only depend on how much money Merc can pour into Brawn.
The cars were still finishing in the points at the end of the year even though they weren't winning races anymore (ended the year with a podium finish), so it is still mildly competitive.

Pre-season testing will be fun to watch.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

The will only depend on how much money Merc can pour into Brawn.
The cars were still finishing in the points at the end of the year even though they weren't winning races anymore (ended the year with a podium finish), so it is still mildly competitive.

Pre-season testing will be fun to watch.

merc will be very competitive. brawn stopped work on the 2009 car early and shifted development to the 2010 car. at mid-season, there was just enough work put into it to win the 2009 title.

the mercedes engine is the most powerful, most fuel efficient and the best packaging-wise (it's small). the 2009 bgp001 had 6 inches of carbon fiber cut off with a hacksaw to fit the merc motor, and they dominated. imagine what they can do with a chassis actually made for that motor!