Schumacher at Mercedes, the rumors intensify

Speculations regarding the return of Michael Schumacher in the premier category of auto sports have intensified after the German newspaper Bild announced today that an agreement had been reached with Mercedes GP, formerly Brawn. Although Bild does not cite its sources, it is said that a one-year contract has been concluded and that it will be signed very soon for an announcement next week.

Whether it was the Mercedes camp or the Schumacher clan, each has refrained from any comment. Rumors that Schumacher would end his 14-year association with Ferrari to join the Mercedes team have accelerated since the end of the 2009 season.

Mercedes has already signed Nico Rosberg as their number one driver but was unable to retain the 2009 world champion, Jenson Button, who joined McLaren. Although Nick Heidfeld was the favorite for the vacant seat, it’s always better to have a seven-time world champion in their ranks.

The German was also a protégé of Mercedes before arriving in F1, and it was inevitable that he would end up in a car powered by Mercedes one day. He also experienced great success with the Mercedes team principal, Ross Brawn, at Benetton and Ferrari.

Schumacher drove at the highest level for the last time in 2006, but missed a comeback to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari this summer. Persistent old injuries from a motorcycle accident prevented him from returning.

The CEO of Mercedes GP, Nick Fry, indicated earlier this week that the team had little chance of announcing its second driver before the new year: “We might say something before Christmas, but it is more likely to be early January,” said Fry.