Schumi returns
January 25, 2010
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has been officially unveiled as part of Mercedes GP new Formula One team. Schumacher, who retired from motor racing three years ago before announcing his comeback in December, says he cannot wait to get back on the starting grid.
"Finally the 2010 Formula One season is firing up. I have to say that I am totally committed to this new challenge. This season feels like a re-start for me and I am so motivated,“ he said at the presentation in the Mercedes museum in the German city of Stuttgart.
Up to the challenge
Team boss Ross Brawn, who masterminded all of Schumacher's seven titles at Benetton and Ferrari, said that despite being the oldest driver in Formula One, the 41 year-old was remarkably fit and could handle anything the sport threw at him.
"There is nothing in a racing car that wears out parts of your body, it's just down to your stamina and strength," Brawn said. "So I fully expect Michael to be able to cope with any demands we make of him."
Schumacher, who is the sport's most successful driver ever, will make his comeback at the Bahrain race in March.
Mercedes, which bought out the 2009 world champion Brawn last November, is confident it can win the title again.
"We want to be champions. Not necessarily this year, but give us some time," Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche said at the presentation in Stuttgart.
Schumacher's younger German teammate Nico Rosberg - who is moving across from Williams - shares Zetsche's optimism, and even believes that immediate success is possible. Rosberg's father, Keke Rosberg, was world champion in 1982, and many believe that Nico could emulate his father's achievements now that he has joined a bigger team.
"I am convinced that Mercedes GP Petronas will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season, and I will definitely give it a go," Rosberg said.
ng/Reuters/AP/AFP/apn
Editor: Rob Turner