Schumacher to make F1 comeback with Mercedes

Michael Schumacher's return to Formula 1 has finally been confirmed after he signed a one-year contract worth €7m with Mercedes.

The deal will see the German driver reunited with Ross Brawn, the Mercedes team principal who oversaw much of his career and masterminded his seven world titles. He will drive alongside compatriot Nico Rosberg for the German marque. Schumacher is reported to have signed the contract at the team's headquarters in Brackley, Northamptonshire on Tuesday.

Schumacher's last Grand Prix was in Brazil in October 2006 and by the time the new season starts he will be 41. However, commentators believe he has what it takes. Former driver Eddie Irvine told the BBC: "He's not at the peak of his game but he's still good enough to win races as he has such an immense talent".

He will also be driving for a competitive team in Mercedes, who have taken over the Brawn GP outfit. Last season they won the drivers and constructors titles. In effect Schumacher is coming in as the replacement for reigning world champion Jenson Button, who has moved to McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton.

By joining Mercedes, Schumacher will rekindle his relationship with mentor Brawn. The pair first worked together at Benetton in the 1990s where Schumacher won the first two of his seven titles. The driver moved to Ferrari in 1996 and Brawn followed a season later. Schumacher went on to win five consecutive world titles from 2000 to 2004.

There was almost an emotional return for Schumacher last season when he was lined up to replace the injured Felipe Massa for his old team, Ferrari. A long-standing neck injury ruled him out at the time, but he has now been passed fit.

Schumacher has worked as a consultant for Ferrari since retiring and the president Luca di Montezemolo has said he was sad to see him leave. But he admitted that it was party his fault. "It was me that rekindled his desire to race after Massa was injured in Hungary," said di Montezemolo.

The prospect of the likes of Button, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso doing battle with the old master for at least one more season will have F1 fans licking their lips ·