It’s official. Mercedes have completed their line-up for the 2010 F1 season with Michael Schumacher joining the promising young Nico Rosberg, creating a dream team for the manufacturer’s first full season in Formula 1 since 1955.

Schumacher is reported to have signed a 7 million Euro contract for 2010, with the option to extend for a further two years depending on his performance.

BBC F1 reporter Ted Kravitz says seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is returning to the track with Mercedes as “he felt his life was empty” without the sport, although he said that the ex-F1 champion won’t know that he is truly fit to race until he gets back in a Mercedes formula 1 car in January.

 

Schumacher said: “The motivation is pretty straightforward. I got a call from Ross (Brawn) at the beginning of November asking me to race again, telling me Mercedes were going to be involved.”

“I’ve never left the race track, and after three years I regained the energy I’m feeling now. After playing around on motorbikes, I’m ready for the serious stuff.”

Schumacher was due to substitute for Felipe Massa after the Brazilian driver was injured last summer, but a neck injury received during a motorbike test in Spain prevented his return.

He now insists this is no longer a problem.

“It is obviously a topic that I understand is questioned, and I want to understand,” Schumacher said. “Before I gave a final okay I made sure that I was sure myself, and I can say 100 per cent the neck is no further issue.

“Unfortunately it was too close to the accident in the summer when I tried for Ferrari, but the time now is enough to have healed completely. I can do everything I used to do, and no problem.”

Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 world champion said of the news “It’s great to have Michael back in Formula One,”

“He is a legend, a really nice guy, and I am happy for him he has again got an opportunity to do the best job in the world – race in Formula One… I used to watch Michael race when I was in the junior categories, and I always hoped I would be in Formula One while he was still around.”

“I’m now really looking forward to seeing him on the track and back at the top. It’s brilliant news, and I wish him my absolute best on his comeback with such a fine team and company as Mercedes-Benz.”

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