Category: Formula 1

Finally, it has been officially announced that Michael Schumacher will make a comeback to Formula One with Mercedes GP. A strong rumour first broke early this morning stating Michael had signed a deal to drive with the Silver Arrows and this has just been confirmed on the Brawn GP website.

Rumours first began about a month ago, after it was revealed that Schumacher was seen in discussions with Brawn and Mercedes officials at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Since then it seems anyone who has anything to do with F1 has piped up to have their say on Schumi’s return.

The move reunites Schumacher and Ross Brawn, a combination that has won seven world championships (two with Benetton, five with Ferrari). In the statement provided via the Brawn website, here is what the two men had to say:

Michael Schumacher: “MERCEDES GP PETRONAS represents a new challenge for me both in a sporting and a personal context. 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. I am convinced that together we will be involved in the fight for the Formula 1 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 1 career and now I can hopefully give something back to the brand with the star.”

Michael Schumacher is about to stand on top of the world and start screaming, “I just can’t get enough!” Of course, he can’t get enough of Formula One and now it seems the Mercedes GP rumours are about to come true.

Almost two weeks ago it was reported that Schumi and Mercedes GP had reached a verbal agreement that paved the way for the seven-time world champion to return to Formula One. Overnight the BBC declared that the deal has been signed off by both parties and an official announcement is expected in days.

Schumacher’s deal is believed to be for one year, with options to extend if both parties agree. It is understood Michael will earn £6.2M (AU$11.3M) in 2010.

Now, the big question remains, can Schumacher add to his 91 Grand Prix victories, and, more importantly, can he achieve the ultimate and claim an eighth world crown? His reunification with Ross Brawn, the man who was by his side for all seven of his World Championships, will give Michael confidence to go all out aiming for all out success.

How will Schumacher cope with a number of the sport’s young stars? Will the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastien Vettel be starstruck, or will they simply say, move over old man, you’ve had your turn?

Only one thing is certain, beyond any doubt, the 2010 Formula One season will be fascinating on so many levels.

[Source: BBC & TimesOnline | Thanks to Sean for the tip]

UPDATE 25 January 2010: Mercedes GP Petronas 2010 season launch

Mercedes GP have been quick to pounce on the sponsorship scraps left by BMW’s withdrawal from Sauber by picking up title sponsorship from Petronas, the Malaysian oil and gas giant. That means the simple name of Brawn GP will be replaced in 2010 with the rather long winded Mercedes GP PETRONAS Formula One Team.

Quick mockups of proposed livery have been uploaded to the Brawn GP website and a second image can be seen after the jump.

Ross Brawn and Nick Fry can hardly believe their luck, given this time last year they were faced with the very real prospect of having to sack all of their 700 strong staff after Honda quit F1. Of course, we now know the two men were able to take control of the team, saving it from obscurity. Then the fairy tale season that was 2009 happened and now the team has emerged as one of the strongest teams on the grid. And that applies no matter if you’re talking, financially, technically or in regards to tactical ability.

It would seem that only the Schumacher comeback can now complete this stunning transformation. With Nico Rosberg locked in already, Nick Fry has said that Mercedes GP will not be announcing their second driver until early 2010. How much of that is bluster is unknown, but it is worth noting that Schumacher’s 41st birthday is on 3 January. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Anyway, back to this Petronas deal, Brawn, as you’d expect is very chuffed with today’s news, “Everyone at Mercedes GP is delighted to confirm our long-term agreement with PETRONAS and we look forward to working closely with our new partner in the future.”

Brawn continued, “Our plans for the new season are progressing well, as is the development of our 2010 challenger, and we look forward to seeing the car run in the new Silver Arrows and PETRONAS livery at the Valencia test in February.”

The full statement announcing the sponsorship agreement between Mercedes GP and Petronas can be viewed below.

Ooh, it’s getting closer now. Oh yes! Michael Schumacher and Mercedes GP are about to spend the night together to consumate the most eagerly anticipated F1 comeback of all time.

It’s only a few days since Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo gave his approval for Schumacher to leave his advisory role with Ferrari’s road car program. Well, now, good old Luca has come out with this piece of oh-my-god-this-is-actually-going-to-happen-gold, “I hadn’t spoken to him [Michael] since Abu Dhabi but I spoke to him yesterday [Wednesday],” di Montezemolo said, in reference to Schumacher’s F1 comeback.

“He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility [of racing for Mercedes-Benz]. Having said that, it is not 100 per cent decided. But that is what he said yesterday morning.”

But, there’s still more!

Schumacher’s personal PR assistant at Ferrari, Sabine Kehm, has left the building. Gee, I wonder where she might be going?

But, there’s still more!

It is being reporter that Schumacher’s manager, Willi Weber, is due to meet Mercedes GP bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry in the next few days. Gee, I wonder what they will be discussing.

But, there’s still more!

If you reckon this whole Schumacher watch thing is getting a little bit loopy, just wait until you read Luca di Montezemolo’s evil twin theory.

“A guy called Michael Schumacher told us at Monza he would renew his consultancy contract. And it looked like his career would finish with Ferrari.

“But then there’s another one who looks like him, 40 to 41 years old, German, same name… and he has decided to do a new career. Everybody in life can do what they prefer, and I understand that there is somebody at 41 years who wants to try again. So I think it’s possible this twin, another Michael Schumacher, same age, same capability, some determination and spirit, will drive for Mercedes next year,” di Montezemolo theorised.

[Source: autosport.com & pitpass.com]

Today Bernie Ecclestone and Eddie Irvine have stepped up to the plate providing the content for Schumacher watch.

Bernie said his legs don’t break, walking on the moon. Actually, I think he might have said he is “absolutely over the moon” at the thought of Schumi returning to the F1 grid.

Apparently Robert Kubica’s phobia of Luxembourg has him thinking twice about staying at Renault, following news that Genii Capital are moving in. The Pole was said to be eyeing off Michael’s seat at Mercedes. But Bernie soon put that right saying, “Well, they’ve got Michael haven’t they. They won’t want Michael and Kubica.”

Well, Robert, back in your box son and back to Renault for you.

Lovable playboy Eddie Irvine managed to roll over this morning pushing models away to answer BBC Five live’s distress call. To help calm them down he revealed that Schumacher has a drug habit. Yes, you see, Eddie says nothing match the thrill that Formula One provides, “In F1, you’re on show and got to perform, whereas in the real world it’s months or years before you can get the same rush. Michael has been karting since he was four or five so he knows nothing else,” said the Irishman.

Irvine also took the time to indulge in a bit of sledging, “He tried the motorcycle riding which was sheer madness because he wasn’t very good and wasn’t getting paid so I never understood that one, but F1 makes sense.”

So, there you have it. Schumi has an addiction and is a rubbish motorbike rider. Eddie said so. Until next time…

[Source: guardian.co.uk & crash.net]

Michael Schumacher’s German compatriot  Timo Glock reckons the Schumacher household is ablaze with candles bearing the Mercedes Benz logo. Apparently they accompany a lovingly arranged set of Ross Brawn portraits. Speaking at the launch of the Virgin Racing Glock said, “The flame is still there, it’s still burning and it will be great if he returns. For me, my personal feeling, it’s quite obvious he is coming back.”

Mercedes GP team heavyweight Nick Fry has also thrown his hat into the ring wanting to get on the Schumi bandwagon. Although, when asked directly if a Schumacher deal was imminent he coyly replied, “I can’t tell you at this stage, unfortunately.” Yes you can Nick, go on, be a sport. You can tell us, we’re just a little blog in far away Australia.

Maybe, though, Fry has already let the cat out of the bag by admitting his Mercedes GP team wants Michael in their car, “The view from inside Formula One, not just in my team, is that they all hope it will happen.

“On Saturday night in Germany, the news that Michael might return was the first thing on and the Copenhagen climate talks was second. Not sure if they have their priorities right, but it shows the impact.”

Fry went on to say that the seven-time world champion would be “very good for our team.”

Unless the rumour dam breaks in the meantime I’ll see you here tomorrow for the next edition of Schumacher watch.

[Source: Associated Press & Crash.net]

German language news reports from Focus and Bild, along with countless Twitter posts, are abuzz with rumours that Michael Schumacher and Mercedes GP have verbally agreed to a one year deal that will see the seven time world champ to return to Formula One in 2010. Apparently the only hurdles remaining are the results of a medical and the willingness for Ferrari to release Schumacher from his advisory role with their road car program.

It is believed that the Schumacher-Mercedes deal could be announced as soon as this Monday. Reports suggest Schumacher, who turns 41 on 3 January, may earn as much as €7 million in his comeback season.

From what I have been able to gather it would appear that Andrew Benson’s blog about Schumacher’s comeback, posted yesterday on the BBC website, is very close to the mark.

If, or hopefully when, Schumacher’s return to F1 is confirmed it will be massive, massive news for the sport. Whether the second coming would last any more than one year will be the next piece of the jigsaw puzzle. However, speculation will most likely increase that Schumacher’s return will be a stop-gap for Mercedes until they can pry the 26th greatest F1 driver of all time, Sebastian Vettel, from Red Bull Racing when his contract ends after the 2010 season.

More on this breaking story as it comes to hand.