Now this is news!
Michael Schumacher, the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1, confirmed today that he will drive for Mercedes GP in 2010.
The Mercedes team, formerly known as Brawn GP, won both the drivers championship with Jenson Button and the constructors championship in 2009, so their status as a 2010 contender, with or without the star driver, is well established. Last month, Ross Brawn and Mercedes-Benz announced that the German manufacturer had relinquished its 40% share in McLaren and had purchased a 75.1% share in Brawn. Nico Rosberg, also a German national, has already been announced as their first driver. Now, with the signing of seven-time World Champion Schumacher, they will be an all-German team, set to face off against the all-British team of McLaren, Hamilton, and Button, who defected to McLaren shortly after the buyout.
Some speculate about Schumi’s ability to be competitive after three years away from the sport, especially at the “advanced” age of 41. Oddsmakers have him at 5/1, the third favorite for the championship, but many think he’s unlikely to even win a race next year. But before we count him out we should remember that he has been racing touring cars and motorcycles since his 2006 retirement from F1, and that he is one of the most dedicated of all sportsmen to maintaining his fitness. We should also not forget that the great Juan Manual Fangio was 38 when he made the move to grand prix cars, 40 when he won his first championship, and 46 when he won his fifth and last one. And Mark Martin’s still doing pretty well handling those NASCAR tanks at 50. Being a little on the old side doesn’t kill one’s competitive spirit.
The return of Schumacher, along with a new rules package and FIA President, will hopefully add enough spark to the series to fill the grandstands once again. I can’t wait for the season to begin!
Hmmm…Ferraris have always been red, McLaren is all British, Mercedes is all German, USF1 is coming…get out the green, silver, and white/blue paint!
Voodoo Bob
That is GREAT NEWS! RGGC
Great news indeed! It looks to be a very interesting year, but Schumacher has a long way to go to reach the stature of Fangio. Granted, in these days of specialization it is hard to give an overall rating,
but Fangio is still the standard for modern era (post WWII) drivers. Care to rate Schui against Nuvolari? Caracciola? Rosemeyer?
Time will tell,
Woody
Great news? I myself am less than overjoyed. Yes, I know the widely venerated Schumi put up incredible numbers, and I don’t deny his talent and applied intelligence. But the man is a thug. Too many of his victories were stained, in my opinion, by underhanded track tactics. Did you see Fangio driving like that? Moss? Clark? Even today, I don’t think Shumacher-style behavior is necessary to win; if it is, I weep.
Besides, I personally enjoyed the relatively level playing field we’ve seen in F1 the past couple of seasons. I haven’t missed the ho-hum Michael days at all.
I hope Lewis whips his ass.
– Pete
An interesting year for sure. How he’ll get along with Lewis is a big ?
I predict great success, as in a championship next year if not this. And at least one subsequent year.
~paul