Schumacher returns for anticipated F1 fight

MADRID – After an anti-climatic championship capped a season of turmoil in 2009, Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One has set the stage for a highly anticipated title fight.

Schumacher's comeback puts four champions on the grid, and at least four teams - including Schumacher's Mercedes GP - are expected to challenge for the championship after a season of surprises on the track generated little excitement despite the victory of underdog Brawn GP.

Most of the news was made off the track in a series of scandals that included the teams nearly forming a breakaway series, Lewis Hamilton allegedly lying to stewards to gain an advantage and Renault's Flavio Briatore being banned from the sport for ordering a driver to crash.

Order appeared to be somewhat restored in February when Ferrari emerged as this season's leading contender after preseason testing, while McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes are all expected to be in the hunt from the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14. In all, 12 teams will be on a starting grid, with Lotus racing for the first time since 1994 and the Senna name returning to the track.

"There could be five or six teams who are competitive," said defending champion Jenson Button, who switched from Brawn to McLaren in January. "It is great for the sport, and I think it is exciting for the fans of F1, and all of us involved, because we don't really know what is going to happen."

Schumacher, a seven-time F1 champ, has returned after three years in retirement and is ready to duel with some familiar foes, as well as others who have emerged during his absence.

Among those he's raced in the past is two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Spain, who has been re-energized by his move to Ferrari.

"This is the best car I've ever had," said Alonso, who won the title in 2005 and 2006. "When you join Ferrari if you don't expect a fast car it means there's something wrong. I was hopeful and it's always good to confirm that the car works well."

Teammate Felipe Massa of Brazil has also chalked up miles and looks to show he's recovered from life-threatening injuries he sustained in a crash at the Hungarian GP in July.

Schumacher, who finished second to Alonso in his final season, said his former team is the one to beat, and most of the paddock considers Alonso the favorite as the iconic red car has had few problems in testing.

Button, meanwhile, left constructors' champion Brawn GP - now Mercedes - to form an all-British lineup with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, which gives it the past two champions.

McLaren had a strong second half in 2009 and came on strong at the end of testing before this season, which sees some rule changes that will alter strategy significantly.

"(The car) feels all new. It feels light years ahead of what it felt last year at this time," said Hamilton, who won two races down the stretch to finish fifth last season. "We're definitely in a much stronger position. We'll start a lot higher up than we did last year."

Button, who got off to a fast start early in 2009 and then hung on to win his first title, isn't deterred by walking into a tricky situation at McLaren, where Hamilton came up through the ranks and has always been favored.

"We're very open with our opinions and also with our feedback so it's a good situation to be in," Button said.