Schumacher still has the X Factor (Feature)

By Peter Auf der Heyde Mar 3, 2010, 4:02 GMT

Berlin - Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One is already the comeback story of the decade - if he is successful it would become the comeback story of the century.

His return after three years of retirement has already brought him more headlines than even his seventh world title and he will now be attempting to follow that up by bringing glory to Mercedes.

Although Mercedes has long had a presence in Formula One, their last participation as an independent team goes back many years and Schumacher is keen to bring back the success that the car manufacturer had in Formula One in the 1950s.

'We have the goal and the mission to secure a title,' Schumacher said.

Having spent three years on his couch next to his wife Corinna or acting as her help when she engages in her favourite past-time - western style riding - has obviously not been enough.

Being a consultant and test driver for Ferrari street cars has not been enough of a challenge and the motorcycling racing Schumacher started at first as a hobby and then took on more seriously was also not enough.

Even a serious crash in Cartagena during a race a year ago could not stop Schumacher from feeling the urge to race Formula One cars again.

Far from it: When Fiat President Luca di Montezemolo last year asked his 'Michele' to stand in for Felipe Massa, who was seriously injured in Hungary, Schumacher said yes.

Although the injuries he picked up in his motorcycling accident put an end to that, the seed had been planted and when his long-time friend Ross Brawn, who was technical director for Benetton and Ferrari when Schumacher won his seven titles called, the German was quick to say yes.

In exchanging his Ferrari for Mercedes, a circle has closed for Schumacher: 20 years ago the 'Mercedes Junior' already raced for Mercedes in the World Sportscar Championship.

The German company also gave Schumacher a glowing reference when he first started Grand Prix racing for Jordan in 1991. 'Here in the museum there is a part of my history,' he said at the presentation of the Mercedes team.

If his history was one of the reasons why he accepted the Mercedes offer, he is now keen to continue writing his own history on the race track.

Not that he is in desperate need to write even more history, as he already is by far the most successful racing driver of all times and most of his records are likely to stand forever.

Seven world titles - five of them in a row - 91 Grand Prix victories, 154 podium places, 68 pole positions, 76 fastest-laps, led a Grand Prix race for 5,096 laps (or 23,848 kilometres), 1,369 points, the highest winning number of points in one season with 148, the highest number of victories in one season with 13, the earliest world champion after just 11 of 17 races, and so on...

Although he has so many records, Schumacher needs the adrenaline of racing, he needs a new challenge. 'I am looking forward to racing at the highest level,' he said.

The two-time father does not believe his age of 41 is a drawback. 'Young or old makes no difference,' he says.

His rivals will not be to happy to hear such a statement.