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Michael Schumacher has been getting used to his new non-Ferrari surroundings, spending two days at the Mercedes factory in Brackley.

Schumacher, who will sensationally return to the cockpit this season, believes his new team is “motivated” to achieve more success and aren’t satisfied with the sole championship they won in 2009.

The seven-time world champion joined the former Brawn team a few week ago, replacing current drivers’ world champion, Jenson Button, who joined McLaren.

The 41-year-old has been surprised but mightily impressed with how his new team go about their business, and revealed on his website just how well things are progressing.

“I am extremely surprised about how motivated everybody was,” he said.

“This is a world champion team but it does not seem spoilt by success at all: it seems to be hungry for more instead!” he added.

The German driver also told of his delight about team members who speak his native tongue, and that it makes a nice change.

“What I also liked is that you hear a lot of people speaking German there. That is nice for once, I am not so much used to that at my work and I find it quite convenient.”

Schumacher and co will begin testing for the 2010 season in Valencia on February 1st, where many teams are also expected to unveil their new car designs and livery.

Michael Schumacher appears to be on the verge of a sensational return to F1 after Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo confirmed that the German wanted to race for Mercedes in 2010.

Earlier this week, di Montezemolo said that he would not stand in the way if the seven-time world champion did want to return to the cockpit. However, he also revealed that he had not spoken to Schumacher about the continuous Mercedes rumours.

It appears this morning though that a conversation has indeed taken place since then, and the Ferrari chief believes a deal to take Schumacher to Mercedes is very close but insisted that nothing had been signed as of yet.

“I spoke to him on Wednesday, and he told me there is a very strong possibility but that it’s not 100% decided,” di Montezemolo said.

Schumacher was due to temporarily replace the then injured Felipe Massa after his horrific accident in Hungary in 2009, but medical experts advised him not to because of a neck injury he sustained in a motorbike accident in January. Di Montezemolo revealed that the German had been “destroyed” when it emerged that he couldn’t make a temporary return to the sport.

Until the 40-year-old passes another set of medical tests, a contract will not be signed. However, according to di Motezemolo, a deal could be announced at the end of December or in the new year.

“Of course, I will have a lot of fans on our website very upset. They think Michael is a traitor. But I will explain to them that is it not Michael, but another one. As a friend, it is difficult for me, but I’m happy to see somebody so fit and with such big determination.”

The former world champion would be an amazing addition to the grid. Furthermore, the prospect of racing against three world champions (Alonso, Button and Hamilton) next season will be a mouth-watering prospect for fans across the world.

If he was to join Mercedes he would be joining up with former Ferrari colleague, Ross Brawn. Brawn and Schumacher’s partnership at Ferrari was feared up and down the pit-lane for many years, and no doubt, the partnership would work beautifully again.