From GMM

Michael Schumacher has ensured a good Christmas and New Year for Mercedes-Benz and Hockenheim.

In the wake of the seven time world champion's decision to return to formula one in 2010, the German news agency DPA reports that tickets for next July's German GP are selling fast.

So fast, in fact, that Hockenheim-Ring GmbH has reportedly called off the Christmas vacation of a female employee so as to handle the unexpected influx of ticket orders.

Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, is expecting the excitement generated by the Schumacher-led German Superteam to sell "a great many cars" in 2010.

Norbert Haug told ZDF television that the 40-year-old's presence will also "draw a great many people's attention to the quality of the (Mercedes) star."