HAMBURG: Michael Schumacher is reportedly close to completing “one of the greatest comebacks in sports history” by returning to Formula One racing at the Mercedes team.
Bild and Focus news magazine reported on Saturday that Schumacher and Mercedes Grand Prix (formerly Brawn GP) had reached an agreement on a one-year deal for the 2010 season.
Schumacher’s spokeswoman Sabine Kehm did not want to comment on whether the German star will race for likely one final year when questioned by the German Press Agency DPA.
Schumacher, 40, is the record world champion in the sport with seven trophies and won an unrivalled 91 races before retiring in 2006.
He planned a comeback at Ferrari in summer after Felipe Massa was sidelined over a crash, but doctors declared him not fit to race due to neck injuries from a motorcycle accident.
A return for 2010 also pends on him passing the mandatory medical.
Doctors said in summer that the neck injuries should have fully healed by the end of 2009.
Focus said that Schumacher “will compete for the new Mercedes team for around 5 million dollars (3.5 million euros)” if the doctors give him the green light.
The magazine said in the report made available ahead of Monday’s publication that Mercedes wants to have Schumacher as a sports ambassador on a long term basis.
At Mercedes GP, Schumacher would drive with fellow-German Nico Rosberg under the reign of Ross Brawn, with whom as technical director he won all his seven titles at Benetton and Ferrari.
Schumacher is still tied to Ferrari as an advisor, but Bild said on its website that talks on ending this deal to allow him the move to Mercedes were positive.
Bild quoted an “insider” as saying that the signature was a mere formality if the doctors agree and Ferrari let him go.
“Schumacher feels fit and healthy. The last tests were very positive. Bild quoted he he can’t wait for the return and working with Ross Brawn again,” as saying.
Bild spoke of “one of the greatest comebacks in sports history” if the deal is done.
It would be a win-win situation for both parties and a sort of homecoming for Schumacher, who raced for Mercedes in his pre-F1 days.
Schumacher doesn’t have to prove anything on the track but his vast experience and dedicated hard work would a huge benefit for the Mercedes crew, and for the talented Rosberg who could blossom in Schumacher’s shadow.
It would also be a welcome boost for the whole sport, which made plenty of negative headlines in recent years. F1 was abuzz with excitement around the summer comeback plans and Schumacher will probably be welcomed with open arms if he returns to the grid.
