The seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher announced his return to Formula One racing this afternoon, deputising for the injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa. These are the key moments in Schumacher's career:

1969: Born on January 3 in Huerth-Hermuelheim, Germany. 1973: Made his racing debut in a kart race. 1987: Won German and European kart championships. 1988: Finished fourth in German Formula Ford championship and second in the European series in first year of car racing.

1990: Won first major single-seater title, clinching the German Formula Three crown. Stepped up to sportscars, driving for Mercedes. 1991: Made Formula One debut for Jordan in Belgium, qualifying seventh before retiring. Raced for Benetton for the rest of the season.

1992: Wins first grand prix in Belgium on his way to third in the championship. 1994: Wins eight grands prix en route to world title but clashes with Damon Hill in final race of the season. 1995: Retains world crown, winning nine races.

1996: Moves to Ferrari and wins three races on his way to third in championship. 1997: Wins five races but is stripped of second in the championship for attempting to take out his title rival Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez.

1999: Breaks his leg at Silverstone when easily leading the championship. 2000: Wins Ferrari's first world title since 1979, amassing nine wins during the season. 2001: Another nine wins and another title, setting a new record for all-time victories on the way.

2002: Wins championship in record time, setting a new mark of 11 victories. 2003: Wins title by a point after six victories, breaking Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five championships. 2004: Breaks his own record for wins in a season to take his seventh world title.

2006: September 10 - Announces his retirement at end of 2006 season after winning Italian Grand Prix. 2009: July 29 - Makes shock return to Formula One with Ferrari, deputising for Felipe Massa who was injured in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.