Schumacher returning to F1 with Mercedes

Updated

Michael Schumacher will come out of retirement to race in Formula One next season with the Mercedes GP team.

Rumours surrounding his potential return have been rife, but it has now been confirmed that the seven-time world champion, who turns 41 in January, will be racing again next season. Schumacher will partner fellow German Nico Rosberg in the team that won the 2009 drivers' and constructors' titles as Brawn GP.

Germany's Bild Newspaper has reported that Schumacher will be on a one year contract with Mercedes with the option of extending it futher depending on his performance. He is also expected to earn around 7 million Euros – a relatively small salary compared to the sports highest earners like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton who earn around two or three times the amount.

"The motivation is pretty straightforward. I got a call from Ross (Brawn, team principal) at the beginning of November asking me to race again, telling me Mercedes were going to be involved, " said Schumacher.
"I've never left the race track, and after three years I regained the energy I'm feeling now. After playing around on motorbikes, I'm ready for the serious stuff."

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