Hamilton: ‘It’s great to have Michael back’

The effusive “welcome backs” are starting to flow for Michael Schumacher.

Both Lewis Hamilton and his team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, of McLaren, say they are excited about the prospect of racing against the seven-time champ.

But what else would you expect, right?

Here they are, via CNN:

“It’s great to have Michael back in Formula One,” Hamilton told the Press Association.

“He is a legend, a really nice guy, and I am happy for him he has again got an opportunity to do the best job in the world – race in Formula One.

“I used to watch Michael race when I was in the junior categories, and I always hoped I would be in Formula One while he was still around,” he added.

[snip]

“I think I share the sentiment of every single Formula One fan across the world by saying Michael’s return to the sport is fantastically exciting — and a thrilling prospect for the 2010 season,” said Whitmarsh.

“We now look forward to some terrific racing in 2010.”

Were they not looking forward to terrific racing before? They figured a pairing of Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld wouldn’t produce much of a challenge?

Hamilton’s teammate, the about to be forgotten Jenson Button, also has a word or two to say:

“Schumacher coming back to F1 is great news for the sport,” Button was quoted in the English newspaper the News of the World on December 13.

“But I don’t know if it will be great news for Michael Schumacher. He will be putting his reputation on the line coming back into the sport.”

Button added that he would relish the chance to test himself against the legend.

“I’ll race against anybody. I want to beat the best and he was one of the best,” he added.

Here’s the “old master vs. young lions” storyline already, especially how Button is setting things up. [Might not be smart to anger Schumacher.]

I hope this does produce some good racing. And I think we all likely agree that if anyone can come back after such a hiatus, it’s Schumacher.

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