Schu confirms F1 return with Mercedes

**Monseratto** · December 23rd, 2009 07:49 PM

It's OFFICIAL!!! Comeback ni IDOL!!!

(CNN) -- Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is to return to Formula One next season to drive for Mercedes, the German carmaker announced on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old German, who retired in 2006, has agreed a $10 million one-year contract and will be on the grid for the curtain-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.

Schumacher, who was unveiled at the team's factory in Brackley, will join compatriot Nico Rosberg at the former Brawn GP team, who were taken over by Mercedes at the end of last season having won the constructors' and drivers world championships.

Rosberg, who signed for Mercedes shortly after the final grand prix of the season in Abu Dhabi, told German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung: "I have no idea if it (a comeback) is true or not, but if he did join that would be an absolutely fantastic move."

The deal, which would confirm an all-German driver line-up for the Stuttgart based carmaker, is expected to be officially announced at 1030 GMT according to the BBC.

Schumacher, who won five of his world titles with Ferrari, attempted to make a comeback for the Italian team last year in place of the injured Felipe Massa, but a neck injury sustained in a motorcycle race thwarted his return.

Rumors have been circulating for several weeks that he would return instead with Mercedes, where he will be reunited with team chief Ross Brawn, who helped to him to his string of titles at Ferrari.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told reporters at their Christmas lunch last week that Schumacher had revealed to him he was close to a return with Mercedes.

"I hadn't spoken to him since Abu Dhabi but I spoke to him on Wednesday," Di Montezemolo said. "He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility [of joining Mercedes] "

Schumacher, who has acted as a consultant with Ferrari since he retired, will be ending a 13-year association with the famous marquee, but with the returning Mass and new-signing Fernando Alonso in their line-up for 2009 that route to return was blocked.

His aborted 2009 comeback created worldwide interest and he said then that abandoning his plans was one of the most disappointing moments of his life.

But Schumacher has worked his way back to fitness and was put on an impressive display in the Race of Champions exhibition in China in November to underline his readiness for a new comeback.

If the former world champion is confirmed, it will cap a good week for the fledgling Mercedes team, who announced a long-term sponsorship agreement with Malaysian national oil and gas company Petronas.

From 2010, the new "Silver Arrows" team will compete in the World Championship as the Mercedes Petronas Formula One Team according to statement on their official Web site.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/12/23/...ion=cnn_latest

**Horsepower** · December 23rd, 2009 10:18 PM

$10M lang? parang ang liit ata nun for a 7-time champ like M Schumacher though this is definitely good news. :-)

**speed unlimited** · December 24th, 2009 01:57 AM

Good news to all shumi fans out there.

**locoroco777** · December 24th, 2009 02:18 AM

Now I have to wear black and silver....

**tidus1203** · December 24th, 2009 07:53 AM

Ala Michael Jordan sa NBA.

**zel.chikot** · December 24th, 2009 08:44 AM

ohh myy. now i need to watch F1 again! my all time favorite driver!

F1 really needs schumi.

**Memphis Raines** · January 9th, 2010 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by Horsepower

$10M lang? parang ang liit ata nun for a 7-time champ like M Schumacher though this is definitely good news. :-)

I agree. Must be a typo somewhere. They must have meant € or British Pounds.

Shumi is back! :barmy: :banana1:

**overdrayv** · January 9th, 2010 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by Horsepower

$10M lang? parang ang liit ata nun for a 7-time champ like M Schumacher though this is definitely good news. :-)

for some, it's too much.

Mercedes workers angry at Schumi F1 contract

The head of the Mercedes works council has expressed outrage over the expensive deal signed this week with former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, coming as the firm forces cost-cutting on its workforce.

"This is hard to justify to our people," work council chief Uwe Werner declared. Speaking in Thursday's edition of the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper, Werner said the board of Mercedes-makers Daimler was forcing savings on its German workers, and moving part of its production overseas, while at the same time spending millions on Formula One. "This is not understandable for many colleagues," Werner said.

Having retired in 2006, Schumacher, who turns 41 on January 3, will reportedly be paid €7 million to be on the grid when the new season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.

full article: TheLocal.de

**Memphis Raines** · January 9th, 2010 12:56 PM

Di ba there was a time when Jacque Villeneuve was still being paid $15 million a season years after he became a world champion?

You can demand daw your salary based on your champion status.

Jacque was I think just a one time F1 World Champion. How much more for dear old Shumi di ba?