Briatore knew for a long time that Schumacher would return in 2010

Flavio Briatore recently commented on Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula 1. According to his former manager, the German’s success in F1 will depend solely on his Mercedes GP car. Briatore indeed has complete confidence in his first protégé.

Flavio Briatore was the Director of the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995 when Schumacher won his first two world titles. According to him, the German would not have returned to F1 if he didn’t have the ability to win again. Therefore, Schumacher will rely more on the performance of his car than on his physical condition in 2010.

« I think his return is a good thing for F1. » admits the former Renault F1 Director to the Gazetta dello Sport. « Knowing him, I think he thought about it for a long time and he’s coming back because he knows he can be fast. »

Briatore confirmed his support for the seven-time world champion, refusing to believe that his age, 41 years old a few days ago, could be a factor of failure: « If he has the right car, his age will have no impact on his performance. The year 2009 has indeed proven this as the champion driver is certainly not the best on the grid… »

Flavio Briatore has distanced himself from Formula 1 since the Crashgate affair at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. However, he claims he knew Schumacher would return to F1 in 2010. He suspected it long before: I was one of the few to think so, but Schumacher retired way too early. He still had two or three seasons to go in top form, and I knew that sooner or later he would come back.

I thought he would have returned at the end of 2009 with Ferrari, but ultimately it will be in 2010 with Mercedes. I don’t know if he will be able to win the title, but I am sure that Ferrari will be one of the best teams next year with Alonso and Massa… The car remains fundamental…