Michael Schumacher

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.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC he added: "I'm very motivated, thrilled and excited.

"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."

The Maestro is Back ................ Let's see how he fares against the young guns...:O)

Michael Schumacher will make a shock return to Formula 1 to replace injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

Ferrari said the 40-year-old will stand in for as long as Massa is sidelined by the serious head injuries he sustained in the Hungarian Grand Prix last week.

"For team loyalty reasons I can't ignore this unfortunate situation," said the former Ferrari driver.

His spokesman Sabine Kehm had told the BBC on Tuesday that although Schumacher - who was working as an advisor for Ferrari - was not willing to make a full-time return to F1, he would not rule out standing in for Massa.

Unmasked: But is Top Gear's Stig REALLY F1 ace Michael Schumacher?

By Lizzie Smith

He walked out onto the Top Gear stage to whoops of delight.

But when the elusive Stig lifted his iconic helmet last night he was jokingly revealed as none other than Formula 1 ace Michael Schumacher.

Jeremy Clarkson had previously promised that the true identity of the fearless test driver would be uncovered on the show - the first in the new series.

In his newspaper column Clarkson boasted: 'As a television moment, it's up there with Neil Armstrong walking on the... corpse of JR Ewing.'

And even after 'the Stig' had removed his mask in front of the appreciative audience he kept up the pretence, asking him: 'What's your real name? It's just too amazing for words!'