Mercedes, Schumacher prepare for title bid

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STUTTGART, Germany -- Michael Schumacher is gearing up to try for a record eighth Formula One title with Mercedes, saying Monday "we have a world champion team" as the car's new livery was presented.

A relaxed-looking Schumacher joined teammate Nico Rosberg at the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart for the presentation of the team's new silver-and-green livery — which was applied to last year's car.

The 41-year-old German said he felt "great emotion" at making his comeback. The former Ferrari driver has returned to Mercedes after three years in retirement.

"I cannot wait for the competition to get underway," Schumacher said.

The new Mercedes car is to make its track debut in Valencia, Spain, at the first Formula One test on Feb. 1. The season's first grand prix is in Bahrain on March 14.

Schumacher prepare for 8th title - www.thatsracin.com

 

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Mercedes reveals F1 car, Schumacher impresses

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -- Formula One team Mercedes GP revealed its 2010 race car on Monday, with Michael Schumacher marking his return from a three-year absence with the third fastest time in testing.​

The former Brawn GP team rolled out its W01 car at Valencia's Cheste Circuit, with Nico Rosberg kicking off three days of testing by being third quickest before the lunch break.​

But seven-time F1 champion Schumacher, who is back this year following a short retirement, needed 17 laps in the afternoon to beat his teammate's time before eventually clocking a best lap of 1 minute, 12.974 seconds from 39 laps. That was less than four-tenths of a second off the pace set by his former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa.​

While the 41-year-old Schumacher was out driving for the first time since the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix, fellow German driver Rosberg gave a positive impression of the car -- which last year helped Jenson Button to the championship and Brawn GP to the constructors' title.​

Mercedes reveals 2010 Formula One car - Racing SI.com