By Sarah Holt
In Stuttgart
**Michael Schumacher is convinced he can battle for the world championship in his first season out of retirement.**The 41-year-old seven-time champion, who is returning after a three-year hiatus, was speaking at the official launch of the new Mercedes team.
He said: “I am convinced Mercedes will be in a good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go.”
Schumacher said he was “emotional” about the brand’s return to the track.
Mercedes have been an engine supplier in Formula 1 since 1993 but this year will be the first time they have raced their own car since 1955.
They quit F1 at that time after one of their cars was involved in a crash at the Le Mans 24 Hours sports car race that killed 80 spectators.
“Nico is such an exciting prospect and he’ll enjoy working with Michael”
Ross Brawn
Schumacher said: “To be part of the reinstated Silver Arrows team is very emotional - an extra push to do well.”
Team boss Ross Brawn said Mercedes had a “wonderful future” in F1.
Mercedes have bought the Brawn team that last year won the drivers’ and constructors’ championship in their debut season, after former owner Honda quit F1.
They have chosen to launch the team at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart on Monday, but while the car on show is painted in its 2010 racing colour scheme it is one of last year’s Brawn cars.
The new Mercedes car will break cover in a test at Valencia in Spain on 1 February, with Schumacher’s team-mate Nico Rosberg at the wheel, with his veteran team-mate taking over late in the three-day test.
Brawn, who worked with Schumacher as the German legend won all seven of his world titles, described the combination as an “exciting partnership”.
He added: “Working with Michael again is a special treat that I did not think would happen again.”
Schumacher is returning to F1 after a three-year hiatus after retiring at the end of the 2006 season.
The 41-year-old called off a temporary return as a stand-in for Ferrari’s Felipe Massa last summer because of neck problems but says he is now fit and raring to add to his record tally of 91 wins and seven world titles.
Schumacher said he had been “thrilled and surprised” about the enthusiasm shown at the prospect of his return last summer.
“Finally the 2010 season is firing up,” he said. "I have to say I am totally committed to this new challenge.
“The season feels like a re-start for me and I am so motivated. We have a world champion team in every sense of the word and I cannot wait to get into the car for the first time in Valencia.”
Rosberg initially signed to move to the Brawn team, before the Mercedes takeover was confirmed and before there was any public discussion of Schumacher’s return.
The 24-year-old German said his new situation was a “dream come true”, adding: “Having Michael as a team-mate is really great.”
Brawn said: “Nico is such an exciting prospect and he’ll enjoy working with Michael.”
Batters56
Rosberg added: "You can really feel the successful motorsport history of Mercedes-Benz here at the museum and to be part of the new Silver Arrows team makes me feel extremely proud and motivated.
"Since joining the team in November, I have spent a lot of time at the factory in Brackley, at Mercedes-Benz high performance engines (HQ) in Brixworth and here in Stuttgart, which has given me the opportunity to settle in and get to know everyone.
“I have seen how hard the team is working on the new car and I really can’t wait for the opportunity to drive it for the first time in Valencia next week.”
More to follow.