Schumacher back in limelight

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STUTTGART: Michael Schumacher sauntered back into the Formula One limelight in Mercedes overalls yesterday to kick off his bid for a record eighth title at the ripe old age of 41.

SLEEK AND SILVER: Schumacher (right) with compatriot and teammate Nico Rosberg pose during the presentation of the new Mercedes GP Petronas Formula 1 team at Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. — AFP photo

SLEEK AND SILVER: Schumacher (right) with compatriot and teammate Nico Rosberg pose during the presentation of the new Mercedes GP Petronas Formula 1 team at Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. — AFP photo

Returning to centre stage three years after he retired, the former Ferrari driver looked trim and relaxed as he appeared alongside fellow-German Nico Rosberg at a presentation of the Mercedes GP team.

“It’s a great emotion and a great feeling I am getting,” said Schumacher, the sport’s most successful driver, in his first public appearance for his new team since announcing his comeback last month. “Finally the 2010 Formula One season is firing up.

“I have to say that I am totally committed to this new challenge. This season feels like a re-start for me and I am so motivated.”

The car presented to the media at a livery launch was the 2009 Brawn GP that took Britain’s Jenson Button to the title, repainted in the evocative ‘Silver Arrows’ colours of the team’s new owners.

The Mercedes museum was a fitting backdrop for a Mercedes-powered car, albeit largely designed by Honda, that carved its place in Formula One history by winning Brawn the constructors’ crown at the first attempt.

The new Mercedes MGP W01, the first ‘Silver Arrow’ since Mercedes last competed as a works team in 1955, will make its debut when testing starts at Spain’s Valencia circuit on Feb 1.