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Official! Schumacher Signs Mercedes Deal

Yes, it is now official! Michael Schumacher will return to Formula One racing for Mercedes-Benz' new works team in F1, Mercedes GP. What was only a rumor for the past few weeks turned into reality earlier today, as the German manufacturer confirmed, via a press conference, that the 7-time world champion inked a 3-year deal with the Brackley based team for the 2010 season.

As reported by the German newspaper Bild and British broadcaster BBC earlier today, the German finally made the move official and will join Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes GP lineup from as early as January. The team will allegedly push for a Schumacher testing session prior to the official start of the winter testing, in order to give the German the chance to drive Brawn GP's last year car, the BGP 001.

Schumacher initially retired from F1 racing at the end of 2006, after losing out to Spaniard Fernando Alonso in the title chase. Since then, he has been ambassador for the Ferrari organization, while also taking on an advisory role within the team.

He nearly made his comeback in Formula One last season, when he was on pole position to replace Felipe Massa following his accident in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Although all was set for Schu to step into the Ferrari F60 and return to racing, the neck pain he felt as a result of a superbike accident in February (an injury still unhealed) prevented him from making the projected comeback.

Following discussions with the Mercedes-Benz officials that started from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last season, Schumacher was convinced to give it another shot in F1, alongside his fellow countrymen. In addition, the fact that he would rejoin forces with Ross Brawn – with whom he won 7 F1 titles in the past, at Benetton and Ferrari – was also an important factor in his positive feedback to Mercedes GP.

Schumacher will therefore become the oldest driver in the F1 field in 2010.
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