Just announced that he's retiring at the end of the season
"I feel relieved.I was able to live my convictions.Would like to thanks all the team. Also friends,partners and companions for support"
I have decided to retire from Formula One at the end of the season, although I am still able to compete with the best drivers of the world, said Schumacher in a statement released today. This is something that makes me proud, and this is part of why I never regretted my comeback. I can be happy with my performance and the fact that I was continuously raising my game during the last three years. But then, at some point it is time to say goodbye. Already during the past weeks and months I was not sure if I would still have the motivation and energy which is necessary to go on; and it is not my style to do anything which I am not 100% convinced about. With todays decision I feel released from those doubts. In the end, it is not my ambition to just drive around but to fight for victories; and the pleasure of driving is nourished by competitiveness. I have said at the end of 2009 that I want to be measured by my success, and this is why I had a lot of criticism in the past three years which partly was justified. It is without doubt that we did not achieve our goal to develop a world championship fighting car within those three years. It is also without doubt that I cannot provide a long term perspective to anyone. But then it is also clear that I can still be very happy about my overall achievements in Formula One. In the past six years I have learned a lot, also about me, and I am thankful for it: for example, that you can open yourself up without losing focus. That losing can be both more difficult and more instructive than winning; something I had lost out of sight sometimes in earlier years. That you have to appreciate to be able to do what you love. That you have to live your convictions. I have opened my horizon, and I am at ease with myself. I would like to thank Daimler, Mercedes-Benz and the Team for their trust. But I also would like to thank all my friends, partners and companions, who over many good years in motorsport supported me. But most of all I would like to thank my family for standing always by my side, giving me the freedom to live my convictions and sharing my joy.
he's a legend in my eyes!! we will miss you schuey!!! hope he's still involved in the sport somewhere some how!!!!
I'm really happy to have seen him race these last three years. He's a true champion and the best that's ever lived. If he needed a few more years to get it out of his system, I hope these past few years have quenched that thirst and he can now retire and enjoy life. It would be nice to see him running a team one day. I think he could be a true asset in the garage. Mark
Losing a WDC but I'm pleased to hear he isn't entertaining thoughts of continuing to drive for inferior teams. I do wonder how his decision will affect his driving through the rest of the season.
Go Ham! lol and BTW, the title of this section is 'F1' not 'Ferrari F1', granted this is a Ferrari website but still, just talking about Ferrari would be boring Good for you Michael, you are a class act and thank you again.
+1. Very sad to hear this but it had to happen sometime. I have enjoyed watching and rooting for MS these last few years and I am glad he came back. His driving this year shows that he still has what it takes against these young guns at 43. Guess I need to find a ticket to Austin now.
Wanna bet? I'll bet you a case of Foster's, Lewis doesn't win more titles than Der Kaiser? When he retires we can settle up! Lol Kevin
Oh there's no way Lewis or anyone for that matter will top 7 WDC. Lewis may get a couple with Mercedes though. He's headed down a good path with them.
