Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher said Wednesday he has signed a three-year deal to return to Formula One racing with Mercedes GP from next season. Having retired in 2006, Schumacher, who turns 41 on January 3, will reportedly be paid seven million euros (9.9 million US dollars) to be on the grid when the new season starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.
"After a three-year break, I have all the energy again that I was lacking," Schumacher told a teleconference with reporters after signing the contract late Tuesday. "We are talking about a three-year deal. It's not just a one-off thing. We are talking about continuation."
Schumacher had been due to make a remarkable return last season for Ferrari - for whom he acted as a consultant after retiring - as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa but was unable to because of a neck injury. But the German said Wednesday the pain was behind him. "My neck is no longer a problem," Schumacher said. "Over the summer it was too soon after the accident. Now everything has healed."
The pilot will return to Formula One having won 91 of his 250 Grand Prix races and started in Pole Position 68 times. His presence on the grid will electrify the hugely popular sport as he goes up against the likes of reigning champion Jenson Button, 2008 winner Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari-bound Fernando Alonso, all men much younger than he. Said Hamilton: "It's great to have Michael back in Formula One.
"He is a legend, a really nice guy, and I am happy for him he has again got an opportunity to do the best job in the world - race in Formula One. Schumacher will be linking up with Mercedes's team principal Ross Brawn, who was the brains behind all of his world titles.
The German won the first of his World Drivers' Championship titles at Benetton in 1994 and was successful with the Italian team again in the 1995 season. In 1996, he transferred to Ferrari where he proved virtually unbeatable between 2000 and 2004, winning five further world titles. There will be huge interest in the impact Schumacher and Brawn will have now for Mercedes.
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