Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is to come out of retirement to race for Mercedes GP, the Formula One team confirmed Wednesday.

Schumacher, who had quit the sport in 2006, will make his debut with the new team on March 14 at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening race of the 2010 season.

Schumacher said he had agreed to a three-year deal with the Silver Arrows team alongside Nico Rosberg in an all-German driver line-up and was “totally fired up” for a return to racing.