Formula One:A fired-up Michael Schumacher is ready to put Formula One's young guns in their place as he chases an eighth world title next year. There was a sparkle in Schumacher's eye as he today announced he was stepping out of retirement after three years away, ready, as he put it, "for some serious stuff."
Schumacher knows he is putting his reputation on the line, that of a man who won seven world titles, 91 grands prix, claimed 68 poles and 76 fastest laps — all records — from his 249 races over 16 seasons from 1991 to 2006.
The legendary German insists there is fire in his belly again, one that had died when he decided to call it a day at the end of 2006, despite a mesmerising drive in Brazil on his final outing.
Now Schumacher, who will be 41 in 11 days’ time, feels like a man reborn, ready again to go wheel-to-wheel with Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and his old adversary, Fernando Alonso.
And in signing a three-year deal with Mercedes GP, Schumacher is intent on proving he is back for the long haul, not just a one- season dabble to see if he can still cut the mustard.
In teaming up again with Ross Brawn, the genius behind his seven world titles at Benetton and Ferrari, and with the backing of Mercedes, there is only one target for Schumacher in 2010.
“I never left the race track,” reflected Schumacher on his time away spent on motorbikes, in karting, and as advisor to Ferrari, a team he joined in 1996 and with whom he has such close ties.
“I was tired of F1 by the end of 2006. I lacked motivation and didn’t have any energy.
“But after three years I have got back all the energy I am feeling right now.
“Having played around with motorbikes, go-karts and all kinds of toys, and I had a lot of fun, I feel ready for some serious stuff.
“It has been a tough time leaving the Ferrari family that has been a big part of my career.
“But after I got the call from Ross in November offering me a Silver Arrow I’m now going to be able to throw around, there is tremendous excitement.
“I’m very motivated, thrilled and excited, and that’s what counts.”
Although Schumacher is throwing himself back in the firing line, he added: “I have won the title seven times.
“I’m with a team that won both titles last year, you have Mercedes as a team owner, so you can’t expect anything else other than going for the world championship. That’s what we’re aiming for.
“Yes, there will be strong competition, but I am absolutely thrilled to be back, and right in the middle of it.”
The seed for a return was planted within Schumacher back in August when Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo convinced him the team’s need was great after
Felipe Massa’s horrific accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
A neck injury, however, sustained in a bike test session in Spain in February robbed the sport of a remarkable story that has now finally come to fruition.
Schumacher insists there are no issues with his neck, and he will be raring to go for the first test in Valencia on February 1.
“It (the neck) was obviously a topic I wanted to understand,” added Schumacher. “Before I gave the final okay, I worked on it to be sure myself, and I can say 100 per cent the neck is no longer an issue.
“Unfortunately, in the summer when I tried to return for Felipe at Ferrari, it was too close to the accident (in February).
“The time since means it has healed completely. I have no problem whatsoever.
“Although it didn’t work out back then, it initiated something in me I didn’t know was there.
“Before I went into my meeting with Luca after Felipe’s accident, I really didn’t feel like it was what I wanted.
“But when I felt the responsibility, I thought ‘I’ve got to do that’, and it triggered what has happened now.”
As for his age, and the fact he will be twice as old as some of the younger drivers in the field, Schumacher does not see that as any kind of barrier to success.
“It will be a tight fight, but I absolutely believe I can again be competitive,” said a determined Schumacher. “They (the young drivers) have got their chance to compete against me, so they’d better use it.
“I’m looking forward to the fight, the wheel to wheel, something the fire inside me has started up again.
“To put it simply, I’m totally fired up for next year.”