Schumacher
I am unique! Declares Michael Schumacher as he roars back into Formula One. The German track legend is convinced he can regain the championship crown at the age of 41.
Schumacher, seven-times world-champion states he decided on a comeback three years after hanging up his gloves. The Mercedes GP driver said: “I don’t recall there being many drivers over 40 in F1. It makes me unique. It would be a unique experience and unique achievement if I was to win the World Championship again. And that is what I’ll be fighting for.”
Weeks of speculation have finally been ended as Schumacher signed a £7million deal for next season, with a two-year option, he will replace Jenson Button at the formerly Brawn GP team.
The dramatic decision was made only after the racing legend had talked it over with his wife and kids Gina-Marie, 12, and Mick, 10. He added: “I had to sort out my personal situation first. Corinna has always wanted to see me happy and when seeing my eyes, and the sparkle there, she didn’t argue. She said go and have fun.”
Schumacher admits that lack of motivation was the reason he retired at the end of 2006 after racking up more wins (91), poles (68) and points (1,369) more than any other driver in F1 history. Schumacher will make his debut to the grid in Bahrain on March 14.
The track star insists the neck problem that forced him to cancel a comeback with Ferrari last summer, as replacement for the injured Felipe Massa, is now fully healed.
He said: “I was tired of F1 in 2006 and didn’t have the motivation. I was out of energy and needed this time off, but I’ve never left the race track and after three years I regained the energy I’m feeling now. After playing around for a while on motorbikes, I’m ready for the serious stuff now. Before giving the final okay, I had to make sure my neck was fine. I had to understand that myself and I can say 100 per cent that the neck is no longer an issue. It wasn’t okay in the summer but it’s had time to heal”. He went on to say “When I got into a kart for the first time after my motorbike crash, I was straight away on the pace. I have no doubt it will be the same in an F1 car – although that still has to be proved. It has not been an easy step to leave Ferrari as I have been there for 14 years”.
“I wasn’t thinking about returning to racing – but it was a special combination that has brought me back. If it was not for Mercedes, I would not have returned.”
Schumacher was given the opportunity to enter F1 in 1991, by Mercedes, having raced sports cars for the German car giant. Norbert Haug, Mercedes motorsport chief said: “Our sporting ambition has always been that Michael should drive again where his professional career had started and he knew that. We discussed the prospect seriously several times. It didn’t happen in 1995, in 1998 or in 2005. “I am delighted that it will now happen in 2010.”
Austrian Niki Lauda came out of retirement to win his third title in 1984 aged 35. He said: “Michael will give F1 back its old dimension. If he gets a good car he will be able to win again at once. He’s the best F1 driver ever.”