Seven-times Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher has come out of retirement and signed for Mercedes. The German, who will be 41 on 3 January, was unveiled at the Mercedes factory in Brackley, Northamptonshire.
Schumacher will partner compatriot Nico Rosberg in the team that won the drivers' and constructors' titles in 2009 in its former guise as Brawn.
"After three years I have the energy back and I'm ready for some serious stuff," said Schumacher.
"I want to have fun out there and I feel as fresh as ever. I've recharged myself after a three-year break.
"The challenge is what I look for - I want to know it."
Schumacher retired at the end of 2006 but will now return to the sport he dominated after signing a three-year deal with Mercedes.
He will reportedly earn euro7m after reuniting with Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who masterminded all seven of his titles, the first two with Benetton in 1994-5 and the subsequent five with Ferrari from 2000-4.
Schumacher was forced to call off a planned temporary comeback as a stand-in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa in the summer because of a neck injury sustained in a motorcycle accident last February.
But Schumacher recently underwent medical checks and is confident he is back to full fitness.
"I wouldn't have entered all of this if I wasn't confident," Schumacher explained.
