6 Drivers that just couldn't stay away from F1

When Michael Schumacher announced he'd be ending his spectacular F1 career at the conclusion of the 2006 season, few expected to ever see him in an F1 car again, much less one that wasn't with the Ferrari team he won five of his seven titles with. Indeed, though Mercedes' big budget entry - taking over from 2009 champions BrawnGP - seemed to be a match made in heaven for the now 41 year-old, it was still a shock to see him back on the grid in 2010. Alas, three seasons yielded scant success and Schumacher retired for a second time in 2012.

Having stunned the motorsport world by quitting for the American-based IndyCar Series immediately after winning the 1992 F1 world title, Nigel Mansell signalled his desire to return to Europe in 1994 with a handful of appearances - including a 31st and final career win - with Williams, leading to a deal with McLaren for 1995. However, the innovative - if not terribly fast - MP4-10 was too slim to fit Mansell's portly frame, forcing him to miss two races as the car was re-designed for him. Returning for round three, Mansell started just two races in the Mercedes-powered car before quitting bemoaning the car's lack of competitiveness... it would be the final time 'Our Nige' turned a racing wheel in F1.

Having turned his back on F1 just two years after winning the world title in favour of a surprise move into the World Rally Championship, there weren't many expecting to see Kimi Raikkonen back in an F1. However, with rallying not yielding the results befitting a driver considered one of the most talented to get behind the wheel of an F1 car, Raikkonen was back in single-seaters from 2012 with Lotus. He has since gone on to claim 2 more wins and 21 podiums.

A two-time F1 world champion but disillusioned by the end of the 1970s, Niki Lauda quit in 1979 to throw himself into his burgeoning businesses but could only stay away for two seasons. Enticed back by a deal with McLaren for 1982, though primary sponsor Marlboro weren't convinced of his abilities after the break, a win in his third race back showed he still had form. He'd go on to win a third world title in 1984 before retiring for a second and final time in 1985.

Not many F1 drivers have bowed out of the sport on the high of winning their final race but Alan Jones had that exact opportunity when he won the 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix having already announced plans to retire. However, the 1980 champion couldn't resist a one-off return in 1983 with Arrows before returning for a full season in 1986 with the American Haas team. Sadly, the car was not competitive and Jones' career ended with just two more points' finishes to his name. Years later Jones revealed he had been contacted by Ferrari to replace the injured Didier Pironi but took too long to decide... a moment he has since said he regrets.

One of motorsport's most versatile and successful racers, the legendary Mario Andretti had been combining F1 and IndyCar commitments for a few years before exiting at the end of the 1981 season unhappy with the move towards more heavy duty 'ground effect' cars. Nevertheless, hadn't turned his back on the sport entirely and after a one-off outing for Williams in the United States, Andretti accepted Ferrari's request to replace the injured Didier Pironi (after Alan Jones above took too long to decide) and notched up a podium in one of the two races he started.