It’s official—seven-time World Driving Champion Michael Schumacher will be returning to Formula One as a driver for Mercedes in 2010, and for two seasons thereafter.
“"I have decided to return to Formula One. Mercedes GP and I agreed on teaming up for the coming 3 seasons,” Schumacher said in a statement on his official Web site. “And to be honest, I’m already super excited by the prospect to be back in an F1 cockpit.”
Schumacher will resign his advisory job at Ferrari and complete an all-German lineup at the new Mercedes Formula One team (formerly Brawn GP) with fellow countryman Nico Rosberg.
“I don’t want to deny at all that the idea of a German F1 team extremely tempts me,” Schumacher said on his Web site. I guess every German driver would feel this way. And of course it plays a major role that I again can work together with Ross [Brawn] at Mercedes GP.” Brawn was the team manager while Schumacher won five driving championships at Ferrari.
Schumacher said he left Formula One because he was burned out after fourteen years in the sport. However, when Ferrari offered him a chance to replace injured Felipe Massa, Schumacher began reevaluating his future.
Though he was pronounced physically unfit due to a neck injury sustained while racing motorcycles, Schumacher realized that his old passion was returning.
“Apparently my batteries recharged completely during the last three years. And when the opportunity arose to drive for Mercedes GP, I realized that my old motivation was back, full of fresh energy and great force,” he said in his statement.
Schumacher was quick to thank the Ferrari organization for all it had done for him, and for allowing him to depart on friendly terms. Most of Schumacher’s Formula One career was spent with Ferrari, and he remained in their employ even after he retired as a driver. Schumacher thanked team president Luca di Montezemolo and all Ferrari fans for supporting him throughout his time with the team.
“I will always carry a big part of Ferrari in my heart and I will never forget the sympathy and passion of the tifosi [Ferrari fans.]
Schumacher went on to express his confidence that Ferrari would return to its former prominence in F1, and provide great competition for the Mercedes cars.
“I’m certain that Ferrari will regain its former strength since the crew is really strong and committed. I think the duels on the race track will be electrifying.”
The neck injury that kept him from driving for Ferrari in 2009 is completely healed, and his health is back to the level of his F1 driving days, Schumacher claims.
“Physically, I feel absolutely fit. My neck is absolutely free of complaints. I can now do the same neck work-out as I did when I was still racing.”
Schumacher said he was amazed at how quickly he returned to his old levels of physical performance, once he adjusted his exercise routine.
Schumacher has remained involved in racing, in karts and on motorcycles, throughout his retirement, and obviously thinks his reflexes and instincts are good enough to keep him competitive. The record-holding championship-winning driver is joining the team that won both the World Drivers’ Championship and the World Constructors’ Championship in 2009, run by the manager—Ross Brawn—that oversaw Michael’s five WDCs at Ferrari.
Schumacher has every reason to be enthusiastic, and he is. His Web site statement ends with the words, “I’m totally fired up for next year!”
“"I have decided to return to Formula One. Mercedes GP and I agreed on teaming up for the coming 3 seasons,” Schumacher said in a statement on his official Web site. “And to be honest, I’m already super excited by the prospect to be back in an F1 cockpit.”
Schumacher will resign his advisory job at Ferrari and complete an all-German lineup at the new Mercedes Formula One team (formerly Brawn GP) with fellow countryman Nico Rosberg.
“I don’t want to deny at all that the idea of a German F1 team extremely tempts me,” Schumacher said on his Web site. I guess every German driver would feel this way. And of course it plays a major role that I again can work together with Ross [Brawn] at Mercedes GP.” Brawn was the team manager while Schumacher won five driving championships at Ferrari.
Schumacher said he left Formula One because he was burned out after fourteen years in the sport. However, when Ferrari offered him a chance to replace injured Felipe Massa, Schumacher began reevaluating his future.
Though he was pronounced physically unfit due to a neck injury sustained while racing motorcycles, Schumacher realized that his old passion was returning.
“Apparently my batteries recharged completely during the last three years. And when the opportunity arose to drive for Mercedes GP, I realized that my old motivation was back, full of fresh energy and great force,” he said in his statement.
Gratitude to Ferrari
Schumacher was quick to thank the Ferrari organization for all it had done for him, and for allowing him to depart on friendly terms. Most of Schumacher’s Formula One career was spent with Ferrari, and he remained in their employ even after he retired as a driver. Schumacher thanked team president Luca di Montezemolo and all Ferrari fans for supporting him throughout his time with the team.
“I will always carry a big part of Ferrari in my heart and I will never forget the sympathy and passion of the tifosi [Ferrari fans.]
Schumacher went on to express his confidence that Ferrari would return to its former prominence in F1, and provide great competition for the Mercedes cars.
“I’m certain that Ferrari will regain its former strength since the crew is really strong and committed. I think the duels on the race track will be electrifying.”
Fitness Not an Issue
The neck injury that kept him from driving for Ferrari in 2009 is completely healed, and his health is back to the level of his F1 driving days, Schumacher claims.
“Physically, I feel absolutely fit. My neck is absolutely free of complaints. I can now do the same neck work-out as I did when I was still racing.”
Schumacher said he was amazed at how quickly he returned to his old levels of physical performance, once he adjusted his exercise routine.
Schumacher has remained involved in racing, in karts and on motorcycles, throughout his retirement, and obviously thinks his reflexes and instincts are good enough to keep him competitive. The record-holding championship-winning driver is joining the team that won both the World Drivers’ Championship and the World Constructors’ Championship in 2009, run by the manager—Ross Brawn—that oversaw Michael’s five WDCs at Ferrari.
Schumacher has every reason to be enthusiastic, and he is. His Web site statement ends with the words, “I’m totally fired up for next year!”
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