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Schumacher will drive for Mercedes in 2010

Wed 23rd, December 2009

Brackley, England (Sports Network) - Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher will make a comeback in 2010 and will drive for the new Mercedes GP team.

Schumacher retired after the 2006 season and considered a comeback in August of this year to replace the injured Felipe Massa with Ferrari, but said he was still unable to drive because of injuries from a motorcycle accident in February.

The German star will be 41 in January and will be reunited with Ross Brawn, who previously helped Schumacher to F1 titles at Benetton and Ferrari. Brawn was retained as the team director when Mercedes-Benz acquired the Brawn GP team in November.

"It is a new chapter in my racing career and I am really looking forward to working with my old friend Ross Brawn and my companions from my days with the Mercedes Junior Programme," Schumacher stated. "I am convinced that together we will be involved in the fight for the Formula One World Championship next year and I am already looking forward to getting back onto the race track.

"For me, this partnership closes the circle. Mercedes supported me for so many years when I began my Formula One career and now I can hopefully give something back to the brand with the star."

Schumacher drove for Mercedes early in his career, then won F1 titles in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton and captured a record five in a row from 2000-04 with Ferrari. He also holds numerous other F1 records, including 91 career wins and 154 podium finishes.

"I am delighted that we can confirm today that Michael will make his much- anticipated return to Formula One next year and drive for our Mercedes GP Petronas team," said Brawn in a statement. "As seven-time world champion, Michael's outstanding record in Formula One speaks for itself and I am looking forward to working with him again."

Brawn GP, in its first year as an F1 team, won the 2009 constructors' title and driver Jenson Button captured the individual crown. Button left the team and next year will drive for McLaren, which had been associated with Mercedes until November.

Schumacher will join Nico Rosberg as drivers for the new Mercedes GP team.

"With the completion of our driver lineup, I believe that we now have the most exciting partnership in Formula One with Michael and Nico, who provide the perfect mix of talent, experience, speed and youth," added Brawn. "We can now turn our full attention to the preparations for the new season and everyone at Mercedes GP Petronas is extremely excited about the challenge ahead."

The first race on the 2010 F1 schedule is the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.