**Michael Schumacher is almost certain to race in Formula 1 next year, according to German compatriot Timo Glock.**Seven-time world champion Schumacher, 40, has been tipped to return to the sport with Mercedes next year, having initially retired in 2006.
Glock, who will race for the new Virgin team in 2010, said: "The flame is still there, it’s still burning and it will be great if he returns.
“For me, my personal feeling, it is quite obvious he is coming back.”
Schumacher has been working as a consultant with Ferrari since his retirement, but the team has confirmed they will not block him from joining Mercedes.
And although Schumacher has yet to comment on stories suggesting his move to Mercedes is a done deal, Glock is confident he will be on the grid next season.
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“My information is increasingly that Schumacher’s return as Nico Rosberg’s team-mate is looking like a done deal”
“There’s still a lot of speculation, but in the end he is a crazy race driver and he wants to come back to racing,” added Glock.
"It’s not enough for him to just do go-kart races, or go to the Race of Champions at the end of the year.
"For Formula 1 and the fans it would be a big boost, a seven-time world champion coming back after three years out.
“It would be a mega highlight, and to drive for Mercedes, you would have a German driver in a German car.”
Schumacher almost returned this year as a temporary stand-in for Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, but the plans were dropped as he had still to fully recover from a motorcycle injury earlier in the year.
However, his neck is now thought to be fully healed, paving the way for his potential return.
While Schumacher would hope to be towards the front of the grid should he return, Glock has more modest ambitions for next season in a car making its championship debut.
“To beat Michael would be a good year for us, but we have to concentrate on ourselves, and not look at what others are doing,” said the former Toyota driver.
“We have to focus on our job, that’s what is important.”