Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One after three years in retirement certainly marks a historic turn in the sport’s history.
The record seven-time world champion, who agreed Wednesday to drive for Mercedes for at least the 2010 season, is F1’s most successful driver with record numbers in all categories: 91 race wins, 68 pole positions and 76 fastest laps.
But will his comeback be a success or another example of an over-the-hill athlete clutching at past glory?
“I never left the racetrack. I kept the motivation and maintained it,” Schumacher said. “I still feel absolutely on the edge. I have to prove it in a real car.”
Schumacher returns in one of the most competitive eras of F1, with four champions on the starting grid. That includes Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and McLaren teammate and defending champion Jenson Button, who won with Brawn in 2009 during a season where rule changes shook up the pecking order.
Is the soon to be 41-year-old Schumacher ready for the new F1?
“Schumacher coming back to F1 is great news for the sport,” Button said recently. “But I don’t know if it will be great news for Michael Schumacher. He will be putting his reputation on the line coming back into the sport.”
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is certain that Schumacher can make a smooth transition.
“He is the best judge of what he can do,” said Brawn, who was the architect of each of Schumacher’s seven championships. “I trust him implicitly and he says he can do it.”
Biography :
Name :Michael Schumacher
Nicknames :Schumi, Schuey
Date of Birth :3rd January 1969
Place of Birth :Hürth-Hermülheim, Germany
Height :1.74m
Weight :68kg
Residency :Vufflens-le-Château, Switzerland
Marital Status :Married
Wife :Corinna Schumacher (since Tuesday 1st August 1995)
Children :Gina-Maria, daughter(19/01/97) and son Mick(22/03/99)
Family :Rolf, Father, Elizabeth, Mother and Ralf, Brother
Interests :Soccer, tennis, swimming, skiing
