Michael Schumacher back in the driving seat

Abu Dhabi: Michael Schumacher on Wednesday announced his remarkable comeback bid with Mercedes Grand Prix team, in which the UAE's Aabar Investments PJSC have a stake in, and the seven-time Formula One world champion said he is aiming for an eighth title in 2010.

The German, who retired in 2006 after narrowly losing that year's title to Renault's Fernando Alonso, signed a three-year deal with Mercedes GP and will be on the starting grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14 next year.

"As seven-time world champion, Michael's outstanding record in Formula One speaks for itself and I am looking forward to working with him again," said Team Principal Ross Brawn on the team's website.

"It is a new chapter in my racing career and I am really looking forward to working with my old friend Ross Brawn and my companions from my days with the Mercedes Junior Programme," added Schumacher.

"I am convinced that together we will be involved in the fight for the Formula One World Championship next year and I am already looking forward to getting back onto the race track."

The UAE's Aabar Investments PJSC together with Daimler AG acquired 75.1 per cent of the 2009 World Championship winning Brawn GP team and renamed it to start racing from 2010 as Mercedes Grand Prix team.

‘Remarkable'

Commenting on yesterday's development, Aabar's chief executive officer, Mohammad Badawy Al Hussaini, told Gulf News: "To have Michael Schumacher as one of our drivers is absolutely remarkable. We welcome him and hope he continues his great achievements."

Life in the fast lane

Date of birth: January 3, 1969

Birthplace: Kerpen, Germany

Height: 1.74m

Weight: 74kg

Starts: 250

Victories: 91

Poles: 68

Fastest Laps: 72

Points: 1,369

Grand Prix debut: 1991, Belgian GP, Jordan

Teams: Jordan (1991), Benetton (1991-1995), Ferrari (1996-2006)

World champion: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

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