Gridcrasher

The report circulating European news is that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has signed a one-year deal to return to Formula One racing with Mercedes GP for the 2010 season. This has been the biggest open secret since Fernando Alonso moved into Kimi Raikkonen's unvacated slot for Ferrari.

Having retired in 2006, Schumacher, who turns 41 in January, will be paid $9.9 million to be on the grid when the new season starts. Schumacher makes Mercedes an all-German racing team after compatriot Nico Rosberg (24) signed up last month. Schumacher had been due to make a remarkable return last season for Ferrari - for whom he acted as a consultant after retiring - as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa but was unable to because of a neck injury. While Massa and Schumacher are now both racing, it remains to be seen how well either perform.

Schumacher's signature is a major coup for Mercedes, who raced under the Brawn GP banner last season. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo admitted last week he is distraught at the prospect of losing Schumacher to a rival team, but it serves him right for hosing Raikkonen. Di Montezemolo started working with Schumacher in 1996, when the German joined the Italian constructor from Benetton. It was the Italian who first suggested to Schumacher he stand in for the injured Massa after the Brazilian's awesome crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Schumacher will be linking up with Mercedes's team principal Ross Brawn, who was the brains behind all of Schmacher's seven world titles. The German won the first of his World Drivers' Championship titles at Bennetton in 1994, repeating again in the 1995 season. In 1996, he transferred to Ferrari where he proved virtually unbeatable between 2000 and 2004, winning five further world titles. He won 91 of his 250 grands prix and started in pole position 68 times.

I'll be surprised if he's able to return to form after his layoff, though I'm excited to watch him race.


UPDATE - Mercedes confirmed it, and it's a three year deal.