• Mercedes

Schumacher could stay in F1 after 2012

Michael Schumacher is not putting a time limit on his F1 return © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Ross Brawn
• |
• Nico Rosberg
• |
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher has said he may choose to continue to race beyond his three-year contract with Mercedes.

He will make his return to Formula One this year, after signing a deal to race until the end of 2012 with the German team. He has admitted that it might take some time before he is back at his best, and told German newspaper Bild that he might stay in F1 beyond the length of his current contract.

"It doesn't have to be the end after three years - the three-year deal was Mercedes' idea and it was a sign of confidence. I thought about everything very carefully: Am I just spontaneously high or will my enthusiasm last? I have been excited for quite some time and can imagine doing this for a few years."

Schumacher will be partnered by Nico Rosberg during his comeback year and team principal Ross Brawn believes the pair will work well together, with Rosberg learning from his more experienced team-mate.

"We signed Nico first and have tried to sign Nico for several years," Brawn told Formula1.com. "We see Nico as a great talent, but it needs finishing and maturing. He has not won a race yet, although he came very close, and I think it is a wonderful partnership between him and Michael.

"They work well together and I see Michael helping Nico develop his career. Michael has come out of retirement but we have to accept that there will come a day when he has to stop forever and then we will have Nico. They must both try the hardest to beat each other but if it is done with the right spirit, with the right approach, then both will gain enormously."

The team will unveil and test its 2010 car next Monday at Valencia.

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