Mercedes to Offer Schumacher 7M Euro for F1 Deal

It's unlikely that Michael Schumacher's decision to return to Formula One racing might have anything to do with money. The 40-year old German will likely look for something a bit more challenging than filling his bank account, perhaps winning a title or proving everyone that he still has what it takes to become an F1 winner.

But even so, Mercedes-Benz has reportedly made him a 7 million euro offer to step behind the wheel of the Formula One car next season, alongside fellow countryman Nico Rosberg. The information was revealed by Germany's Bild newspaper, whose reporters showed that Ross Brawn is ready to make Schu an offer in the vicinity of the one he made to Jenson Button a few weeks ago.

As we've reported to you a few days after the Button/McLaren switch, Brawn offered his reigning F1 champion an overall 12 million euros (8 million guaranteed and the other 4 million in race bonuses) for the 2010 season. Just like in the case of Schumacher, Button preferred the challenge of racing alongside Lewis Hamilton over a more fruitful deal with Mercedes' works team.

If we are to believe the team's CEO Nick Fry, the Brackley organization will not make an announcement regarding their drivers' lineup by Christmas, as early January seems a more likely deadline for giving the media the name of their second driver for 2010.

“We might say something before Christmas, but it's more likely to be the beginning of January,” said Fry, while at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco. In addition, he told the media that Schumacher's potential return to the series would be a win-win situation for everybody involved in the sport.

Schumacher is reportedly earning as much as 5 million euro as advisor for Ferrari company, although his latest deal with the Scuderia doesn't involve it's F1 operations.