Schumacher has signed a three year contract with Mercedes, a little surprised by the length of the contract, but not that he signed. It is a nice full circle for Michael, Mercedes got him into the Jordan at Spa in ’91 for his first race after Bert Gachot was jailed in London for pepper-spraying a taxi driver.
The three year contract allows Michael to stay with the team until the end of 2012, which happens to be when Sebastian Vettel (in another Mercedes powered car) is out of contract with Red Bull. It’s no secret that Mercedes wants Vettel in the car eventually.
It gives Mercedes some stability and there is no question he is technically one of the best test drivers around. Another big bonus to the team when testing is limited and every testing mile needs to mean something.
In 2006 Schumacher beat Alonso in a great season long battle. In addition to Alonso wanting another run at him, there will be Button, Hamilton, Vettel and Weber all in competitive cars and wanting to beat maybe the best driver ever. If it comes together for these drivers 2010 has the potential to be a great championship.
Lewis Hamilton once said that his biggest regret was that he never got to race against the seven time world champion, he does now.
Assuming Ross Brawn provides him a good car I don’t think anyone doubts Schumacher’s ability to be at the front of the grid. As his Ferrari team mate Eddie Irvine said “Michael Schumacher at 90% of his best is still better than the vast majority of the F1 grid.”
Baring a total disaster I think his legacy is safe, no one can take away 91 wins, seven championships and clearly being one of the best drivers in the history of F1.
It also means Nick Heidfeld is looking for a seat; he seemed to be waiting as Mercedes second choice if Michael decided not to come back.