Michael Schumacher today insisted part of his heart would always be red as he paid homage to Ferrari on the day of his public unveiling as a Mercedes driver.

The seven-times world champion joined team-mate Nico Rosberg, team boss Ross Brawn, CEO Nick Fry and Mercedes motorsport head Norbert Haug in an official presentation of the Brackley-based team in Stuttgart.

The new car is poised for its debut on the opening day of the first test in Valencia next Monday, when both Schumacher and Rosberg will share the driving duties.

So for today, at the Mercedes-Benz museum, Schumacher and Rosberg posed for photographs alongside last season's double championship-winning model, naturally painted in traditional Mercedes silver.

After 14 years with Ferrari, 11 as a driver and three as advisor prior to stepping out of retirement, naturally this is all still new to the 41-year-old, even if he started his racing career in sports cars with Mercedes.

"Quite a lot of my history and part of my heart is red," admitted Schumacher.

"You can't forget and deny all the good moments together, and I'm really looking forward to seeing some of my friends I was with for so long.

"I'm still in regular contact. Every so often (Ferrari team boss) Stefano (Domenicali) calls me up, and he invited me to the recent skiing week, which is a private thing for the Ferrari family.

"I'm still friends with them, and this will not stop. Of course, we will compete, but it doesn't mean we forget everything that happened in the past."

Schumacher retains a desire to add to his 91 grands prix wins, and in particular, seven world titles.

As you would expect, he is adamant his age and time away from the sport have not withered his abilities.

"I don't have to prove to anybody anything about my age," insisted Schumacher.

"I just have to prove to myself that I'm obviously still able, and the main reason why I'm doing this is because I'm thrilled about it.

"I feel huge excitement to just drive and compete at the highest level of motorsport.

"We have everything it takes (at Mercedes) to be world champion again, but it's one thing to have all the ingredients, it's another to conjure a result.

"But with the experience Ross has, and with what he did last year, and with Mercedes' know-how and the quality they have, I'm sorry, but there is only one target (the title)."

Brawn recently remarked that of the four competing world champions this year - Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso - he felt the German had the best chance of adding to his success.

That is despite the fact Schumacher has spent the last three years on the sidelines, and has not competitively driven an F1 car since October 2006.

Explaining his reasoning, Brawn added: "First of all the raw talent doesn't disappear.

"What normally happens with drivers is that they lose the physical ability to compete, and F1 is a very physical sport.

"They also lose the determination you need to compete at every race, every minute of the day and every lap on the circuit.

"What I've seen with Michael is that he has been refreshed by his break, and I've had that experience myself of a sabbatical, and I know that reminds you of the good things, the things you miss.

"We've seen today he is looking incredibly fit, and far younger than his 41 years.

"So I don't think the physical side is a problem, and he has shown amazing commitment and dedication already by working hard with the engineers.

"And I don't think the talent disappears, and even if it eases off a little, you've the huge experience he has to compensate.

"He wouldn't do this if he wasn't convinced he could do the job, and I'm convinced he can do the job.

"I've already seen amazing commitment, and it reminded me of the old Michael Schumacher."