LAST season he helped Jenson Button land his first ever world title, now Andrew Shovlin is aiming to ensure Michael Schumacher enjoys a dream return to Formula One.

The Teesside race engineer was Button’s eyes and ears in the race paddock last year as the Briton and his Brawn team made history by becoming the first to land the title in their debut season.

Button has since moved on to McLaren and his former team are now Brawn-Mercedes.

There had been speculation surrounding Shovlin, who was brought up in Kirklevington, near Yarm.

However, Brawn has confirmed that Shovlin, 36, will now team up with seven-time Champion Schumacher.

The German, who retired in 2006 and is now aged 41, has signed a three-year deal with Brawn and will once again join team principal Ross Brawn, the genius behind his rise to glory with Benetton and Ferrari.

A spokesman for Brawn- Mercedes simply said: “Andrew will be Michael’s engineer.”

She said neither were commenting on the move as yet.

However, TV commentator James Allen believes the partnership will work.

“I’m sure they will get on well,” he said. “Shovlin is experienced, calm and very intelligent.

He’s a real family man and a very nice person, as well as a fiercely competitive individual.”