Michael Schumacher

When Michael Schumacher walked away from Formula 1 in 2006 after seven world titles, he looked content with a career in which he’d re-written the record books. But it became clear in 2009 that he was hungry for more. With Benetton and Ferrari, Schumacher redefined the way F1 drivers did business. Ruthlessly focused and efficient, Schumacher is loathed as much as loved. His ruthlessness is best shown by the return to Mercedes, which helped him into the limelight in sportscars in 1990. He’ll be getting jeers, not cheers, from the passionate tifosi, betrayed after lauding him at Ferrari. But Schumacher’s decision to re-join the might of Mercedes and ex-Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn could be his canniest move yet.

Stats to start of 2010

World championship titles: 7
Race wins: 91
Poles: 68
Fastest laps: 76
Debut season: 1991 (Jordan)

Total points: 1369
Total races: 248