Schumacher Arrives Late in Bahrain

11 Mar 2010

Michael Schumacher was among the last Formula One drivers to arrive in Bahrain ahead of the 2010 season opener. While most of the 23 rival drivers were already at the Sakhir circuit on Wednesday afternoon, the 41-year-old German was just touching down in a private jet with his wife Corinna.

The 7 time world champion and most successful driver of all time stated to reporters that he was willing to grit it out to become 8 time world champion, was perhaps trying to start the mind games early on. But the German driver merely stated that he did not want to get involved with the media hype surrounding his return to Formula 1. Schumacher told German reporters at the Bahrain circuit that the F1 chief executive would have seen “dollar signs in his eyes” when he heard about his decision to return to F1 this year with Mercedes. Schumacher is an old hand at dealing with the media and is notably well managed when it comes to exploitation for profit.

Also missing in Bahrain on Wednesday was Jenson Button in nearby Abu Dhabi to receive his Laureus Breakthrough award, while Brawn GP - now Mercedes- took the team prize.

Ross Brawn meanwhile, was at Buckingham Palace to receive his OBE from the Queen. Brawn of course saved the doomed Honda Factory from closing by buying a majority stake in the team back in 2008. A decision which payed dividends when it came to the 2009 F1 championship as his team took the constructors title and drivers championship. Brawns majority stake has now been taken by Mercedes, but he will still sit on the pit wall as team boss. With two new German drivers, Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.

Whether the team will prove as successful this season remains to be seen, but a bet on the team who where underdogs last season would not be frowned upon. Currently Mercedes GP are 11/2 to win the championship this year behind the likes of Red Bull 11/4, McLaren 5/2 and favourites Ferrari 11/8. Michael Schumacher is currently 7/1 to win in Bahrain at Sky Bet.

All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change