Michael Schumacher is returning to F1 to drive for Mercedes GP in 2010
It now seems certain that Michael Schumacher will drive for Mercedes GP in 2010 after Eddie Jordan confirmed the discussions are real.
Yes, this rumour has been doing the rounds ever since the news that Brawn GP had sold out to Mercedes became known. And it was given some extra credibility when Mercedes GP – in the guise of Norbert Haug – said they would be announcing their driver line-up in the next couple of weeks, and we should “…expect a surprise”. Is that surprise that Michael Schumacher will drive for Mercedes GP in 2010?
We already know that Mercedes has lined up Nico Rosberg for 2010 and it has been rumoured that they favoured putting Nick Heidfeld in the second seat to make an all German Silver Arrow F1 team. But it now seems almost certain that Schumacher will get his wish to return to Formula 1 and drive for what will effectively be his national team (although Michael now lives in Switzerland).
The final pieces of this jigsaw seem top have been put in place by BBC pundit and former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan. He has said that he believes it is going to happen. Th discussions apparently started at the Yas Marina Circuit during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The sticking point is Schumacher’s contract with Ferrari. It has already been announced that Michael will not be involved with Ferrari F1 next year, paving the way for a move, and it us understood that Ferrari will not stand in the way of the move despite the obvious conflict of interest.
Eddie Jordan is well placed to be privy to these negotiations. It was he who gave Schumacher his first drive in F1 – which was paid for by Mercedes – back in 1991, and it was Mercedes who first gave Michael his big driving break when he raced for them before going to Jordan. The wheel moves full circle.
So it looks likely that Mercedes will sport the ‘German Dream Team’ for next year. In opposition to the ‘English Dream Team’ at McLaren with Button and Hamilton.
Which does mean Michael may not have time to be the Stig next year. Probably best the Top Gear boys sort out the Stig’s pieces outside of next season or Michael might not be available. And let’s hope the Formula 1 season in 2010 reflects the football season of 1966.
Source: BBC
Have your say - leave a comment