Michael Schumacher joins Mercedes - Official

Discuss all the aspects of the Formula 1 sport here

Moderators: cmlean, Ed, The Qualiflyer, The Heretic

Post Reply

What can Michael achieve in his comeback year ?

He will win his 8th World Title
200
53%
He will win a few races but won't be able to challenge for the title
127
33%
He will have a few podium finishes but no wins
28
7%
He will only manage a few point finishes but no podiums
15
4%
He will not finish the season and go back to retirement early
10
3%
 
Total votes: 380

Ed
NewsOnF1 Editor
NewsOnF1 Editor
Posts: 22255
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:24 pm

Michael Schumacher joins Mercedes - Official

Post by Ed » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:48 pm

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER JOINS MERCEDES GP PETRONAS

Image

Stuttgart/Brackley - The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team can confirm today that seven-times Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher will make his racing return in 2010 with the Silver Arrows team.

With seven Drivers' World Championships, 248 Grand Prix starts, 91 victories, 154 podium finishes and 68 pole positions, the 40-year old German needs no introduction following an illustrious and record-breaking Formula One career from 1991 to 2006 at the Jordan, Benetton and Ferrari teams.

Michael's return to racing with MERCEDES GP PETRONAS sees his return to Mercedes-Benz Motorsport where he began his racing apprenticeship as part of the Junior Programme in 1990, racing in Group C sports cars and DTM, and sees Michael renew his partnership with Ross Brawn with whom he won all seven of his World Championships.

Today's announcement confirms the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS driver line-up for the 2010 season with Michael partnering his compatriot, 24 year old Nico Rosberg, in the Silver Arrows cars.

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."

Nico Rosberg: "It is fantastic that Michael is returning to Formula One and will be my team-mate at MERCEDES GP PETRONAS. It's a great challenge for me to be up against one of the best drivers of all time. I'm sure that we will form a very strong partnership as he will have lost none of his speed! It is also great news for our sport and the fans."

Ross Brawn, Team Principal of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS: "I am delighted that we can confirm today that Michael will make his much-anticipated return to Formula One next year and drive for our MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team. As seven-time World Champion, Michael's outstanding record in Formula One speaks for itself and I am looking forward to working with him again. With the completion of our driver line-up, I believe that we now have the most exciting partnership in Formula One with Michael and Nico, who provide the perfect mix of talent, experience, speed and youth. We can now turn our full attention to the preparations for the new season and everyone at MERCEDES GP PETRONAS is extremely excited about the challenge ahead. With the investment and support in our team provided by Daimler, Aabar and our new title partner Petronas, and with two such exciting drivers, we have all of the building blocks in place to have another successful season in 2010."

Norbert Haug, Vice-President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsports: "In April 1991, when I had been in charge of the Mercedes-Benz Motorsport programme for just six months, Michael was standing beside me on the balcony one evening. Without the slightest doubt, he said in a low voice: "It's about time that I got into Formula 1". Michael had just turned 22 years of age and four months later, he made his debut at Spa in a Jordan. Mercedes-Benz helped him to this point and the rest is history: seven World Championship titles, more than any racing driver, 91 Grand Prix wins, more than any racing driver. Michael has more of everything than every other driver. As part of the Mercedes Junior Programme, Michael had raced in Group C sports cars and competed in a few DTM races. Ross Brawn, then our opponent at Jaguar, quickly realised Michael's talent and they went on to win all seven of his Drivers' World Championship titles together at Benetton and Ferrari. Our sporting ambition has always been that Michael should drive again where his professional career had started and Michael knew that. We often joked about it after the races and discussed the prospect seriously several times during the last 14 years in Formula 1. It didn't happen in 1995, it didn't happen in 1998 and it didn't happen in 2005. I am delighted that it will now happen in 2010. I am very much looking forward to working with Michael and everybody at Mercedes-Benz and Daimler extends a very warm welcome to our 'apprentice' of 19 years ago. That apprentice is now the most successful racing driver of all time."

Image

Snowy
F1 Race Winner
F1 Race Winner
Posts: 2094
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:28 am
Location: location, location

Post by Snowy » Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:09 pm

And they said it would never happen. 8)
Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button World Champions :)

Snowy
F1 Race Winner
F1 Race Winner
Posts: 2094
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:28 am
Location: location, location

Post by Snowy » Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:15 pm

Because I want Michael to be competitive so that we can find out how good Nico is I vote he wins races. But I would be most aggravated if he won the Championship.

However you have know in your heart of hearts that the Mercedes GP Petronas is going to be a very quick car. Their are some that say the McLaren will be quick in 2010 citing its pace in the final part of 09. However it was still not competitive in fast corners and it also had the benefit of KERS, so I am not that confident they will be Merc's main challenger. We have to hope that Sebastien, Fernando and Felipe are well equiped and able to keep the wolf from the door.
Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button World Champions :)

Guest

Post by Guest » Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:55 am

MICHAEL was easily the best driver ever since he joined F1 and I for one expect him to be the strongest comeback man in history. NIKI, ALAIN and NIGEL came back and won a title - absolutely no reason why MICHAEL shouldnt achieve the same. The biggest difference to ALL his competitors is the fundamental trust in himself and a staggering never give up mentality. Unless the car is crap MICHAEL will be able to fight for the WDC. As for NICO, he might emerge as one of his strongest team mates and in doing so he would only push MICHAEL the harder.....

RE30B#16
Racer
Racer
Posts: 671
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:46 pm
Location: HollyWeird & Sin City

Post by RE30B#16 » Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:32 am

Here we go!!!

In all honesty, I would not be surprised if Schuey won a title with this comeback. He is essentially returning to Ferrari with a Mercedes engine. Ross Brawn was his team leader for virtually all of his successful years in Formula 1.

His biggest challengers will be Fernando Alonso (the only current driver who has beaten him), Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastien Vettel. I believe even at 41, Michael Schumacher has the measure of Jenson Button (who tried his best to lose the 2009 title after such a strong strart to the season), Felipe Massa, and the rest. X factors will come in the form of Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica.

It should be an exciting season if there are at least 5 teams with an equal chance for the top step of every podium.

:D
Christoforo

You're not getting old, the music just sucks!!

Fernando Alonso is currently the best... Period!!!


-)_ (-
(_!_) Inclined to get behind!!!

Post Reply