Mercedes GP are hopeful of a successful 2010 campaign after securing the services of Michael Schumacher for next year, the most successful driver in the history of Formula One. The news was confirmed this morning at a press conference at the team's headquarters in Brackley and comes following a turbulent year for the former Honda team.

This time last year following the withdrawal of Honda from the sport Brawn GP began to emerge from the ashes, before going on to conquer the world of F1 by taking the drivers' and constructors' championships in a dramatic season. Now, even with their world champion driver Jenson Button having departed for McLaren, they will face into a new season with an even stronger driver line-up, a prospect team principal Ross Brawn is relishing.

“I am delighted that we can confirm today that Michael will make his much-anticipated return to Formula One next year and drive for our Mercedes GP Petronas team,” said Ross Brawn. “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.

All seven of Schumacher's drivers titles were taken with Ross Brawn at the helm, with two at Benetton and five consecutively at Ferrari. Having last raced in F1 in 2006, many are keen to see what Schumacher still has to offer at the age of 41.

Schumacher's signature confirms the team's line-up for next season, with fellow German Nico Rosberg already having been confirmed. “With the completion of our driver line-up, I believe that we now have the most exciting partnership in Formula One with Michael and Nico, who provide the perfect mix of talent, experience, speed and youth,” continued Brawn.

“We can now turn our full attention to the preparations for the new season and everyone at Mercedes GP Petronas is extremely excited about the challenge ahead. With the investment and support in our team provided by Daimler, Aabar and our new title partner Petronas, and with two such exciting drivers, we have all of the building blocks in place to have another successful season in 2010.”

On Mercedes's part, Schumacher's move rekindles an old relationship with the German marque, having spent his initial days of single-seater racing under their wing. When an opportunity for Formula One emerged in 1991, backing from Mercedes made his move to Jordan possible, a story Norbert Haug knows all about as Mercedes' Vice President of Motorsport.

“In April 1991, when I had been in charge of the Mercedes-Benz Motorsport programme for just six months, Michael was standing beside me on the balcony one evening. Without the slightest doubt, he said in a low voice: "It's about time that I got into Formula 1". Michael had just turned 22 years of age and four months later, he made his debut at Spa in a Jordan.

“Mercedes-Benz helped him to this point and the rest is history: seven World Championship titles, more than any racing driver, 91 Grand Prix wins, more than any racing driver,” continued Haug.

“Michael has more of everything than every other driver. As part of the Mercedes Junior Programme, Michael had raced in Group C sports cars and competed in a few DTM races. Ross Brawn, then our opponent at Jaguar, quickly realised Michael's talent and they went on to win all seven of his Drivers' World Championship titles together at Benetton and Ferrari.

Haug also revealed it was Mercedes' ambition to get Schumacher driving for Mercedes again, but despite regular talks a move didn't materialise in 14 years of racing. “Our sporting ambition has always been that Michael should drive again where his professional career had started and Michael knew that. We often joked about it after the races and discussed the prospect seriously several times during the last 14 years in Formula 1. It didn't happen in 1995, it didn't happen in 1998 and it didn't happen in 2005.

“I am delighted that it will now happen in 2010. I am very much looking forward to working with Michael and everybody at Mercedes-Benz and Daimler extends a very warm welcome to our 'apprentice' of 19 years ago. That apprentice is now the most successful racing driver of all time.”