Legendary Formula One driver, seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, will return next year to 'Royal Racing' at the age of 41 after signing a contract with the Mercedes Benz team on Wednesday.
"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 Program," the official Formula1.com website quoted Schumacher as saying.
Schumacher, who retired in 2006 and now bids to add to his record tally of 91 wins out of 250 Grand Prix, worked closely with Ross Brawn, the head of the Brown GP team, which helped him earn his two F1 titles with Benetton and five titles with Ferrari.
"I am convinced that together we will be involved in the fight for the Formula One World Championship next year and I am already looking forward to getting back onto the race track. For me, this partnership closes the circle," the 'Red Baron' said.
Born on January 3, 1969 in West Germany's Hurth-Hermulheim, Schumacher is the fastest driver and the top world record holder in the history of Formula One since Grand Prix championships started in 1950.
Brazil's Juan Manuel Fangio world record of five F1 championship titles stood for almost five decades, before it was smashed in 2006 by the German racer, who also holds the record of 68 Pole Positions.
Schumacher was crowned the champion of Formula One in 1994 and 1995, driving for the Ford Benetton team, and the champion of 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 as the pilot of the legendary Ferrari.
Ross Brawn said commenting on Schumacher's return: "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."
MOSCOW, December 23 (RIA Novosti)
