Ross Brawn has said Michael Schumacher will become the 2010 Formula One world champion. Brawn, who heads the Mercedes team, formerly Brawn GP, will be reunited with the seven-times world champion when Schumacher makes a return to Formula One after an absence of three years.

Schumacher will bring the quota of world champions competing in 2010 to four as he joins Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button and the German newspaper Bild this week quoted Brawn as saying: "If I had to bet on any of them then it is clear that Michael will become world champion."

Brawn said: "I was asked which of the four champions was likely to win the title and, naturally, I said Michael! In any case, I really believe he has just as good a chance as the others. Michael is now more relaxed. When he retired in 2006, F1 was a burden for him. Now I can sense his old enthusiasm."

Brawn added that Schumacher had already impressed and energised the British-based team with his motivation and professionalism during a recent visit to the headquarters in Brackley in Northamptonshire. Brawn guided the 41-year-old Schumacher to all of his world titles when they worked together at Benetton and then Ferrari.

"I don't think he will come out and win the first grand prix," said Brawn. "He will need a few races to familiarise himself with the other cars and the many new drivers. Then I hope to see the old Schumacher. This has always been his strength: to learn and adapt amazingly quickly."

Schumacher, who is not allowed to drive a current Formula One car until the first official pre-season test in Valencia on 1 February, spent much of last week testing in a GP2 car. The revamped Mercedes team will be formally introduced in Stuttgart next Monday with a 2009 car displaying the new team colours.

The 2010 Mercedes F1 car will make its first appearance at the test in Spain. Schumacher will share the testing with Nico Rosberg, who has moved to Mercedes after four years with Williams. Schumacher took Button's seat after the 2009 world champion joined Hamilton at McLaren-Mercedes. The season's opening race is in Bahrain on 14 March.