Mercedes GP confirmed on Wednesday morning that Michael Schumacher will return to the Formula One grid in 2010. The seven-times Formula One world champion has signed a deal to drive for the team from Brackley after three years in retirement.

German newspaper Bild.de claimed last night that the driver had inked a deal with this year's world championship winning team, but the news was not made official until this morning. There had been concerns regarding Schumacher's fitness, but doctors have given his neck the all clear and Michael has said:

100% there are no issues with my neck. It's had the time to heal completely.

I am convinced that together we will be involved in the fight for the Formula 1 World Championship next year and I am already looking forward to getting back onto the race track.

Team Principal, Ross Brawn added:

I am delighted that we can confirm today that Michael will make his much-anticipated return to Formula One next year and drive for our Mercedes GP Petronas team. As seven-time World Champion, Michael’s outstanding record in Formula One speaks for itself and I am looking forward to working with him again. With the completion of our driver line-up, I believe that we now have the most exciting partnership in Formula One with Michael and Nico, who provide the perfect mix of talent, experience, speed and youth.

Updated: In a live interview with BBC's Jake Humphrey, the former world champion said he cannot wait for 1 February and his first run in the Mercedes.

However, his former teammate at Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello fired a subtle warning shot via Twitter:

The team needed me last year and needs Schumi now. I hope for a great fight, but a clean one as well.

On his own official website, Michael suggested that the comeback plan was initiated during the weekend of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November, when Ross Brawn asked him if he could imagine returning to F1.