MADRID (AP) -After an anti-climatic championship capped a season of turmoil in 2009, Michael Schumacher's return to Formula One has set the stage for a highly anticipated title fight.

Schumacher's comeback puts four champions on the grid, and at least four teams - including Schumacher's Mercedes GP - are expected to challenge for the championship after a season of surprises on the track generated little excitement despite the victory of underdog Brawn GP.

Most of the news was made off the track in a series of scandals that included the teams nearly forming a breakaway series, Lewis Hamilton allegedly lying to stewards to gain an advantage and Renault's Flavio Briatore being banned from the sport for ordering a driver to crash.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.