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Schumacher announces his retirement

Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, left, of Germany, reacts on the podium after winning the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy, at the Monza racetrack, near Milan, Italy, yesterday. Behind him is McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen, of Finland, who finished in second place. Seven-time world champion Schumacher announced his retirement from Formula One yesterday after the race. PHOTO: AP

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher announced his retirement from Formula One yesterday, moments after winning the Italian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver will leave the sport at the end of this season, following the year-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Oct. 22.

"One day the day has to come and I felt this was the moment," Schumacher said after closing to within two points of leader Fernando Alonso in the drivers' standings.

Schumacher added that he wanted to make the decision now so teammate Felipe Massa could work out his future with the team. Ferrari also announced that Massa will continue next season and be joined by Kimi Raikkonen, who moves over from McLaren-Mercedes.

"There was no reason for me to make my decision any later than [Massa] had to make his," Schumacher said.

The 37-year-old Schumacher will retire with every major record in Formula One. His seven titles are two more than Juan Manuel Fangio's five and he trails Alonso by only two points with three races remaining this season.

"Soon my future will belong to my family," Schumacher said in a statement. "But for now, what matters is this world championship."

Schumacher won his first two titles with the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995, then restored Ferrari to prominence with five consecutive championships from 2000-2004.

Schumacher showed some signs of vulnerability when he won the 2003 title by only two points over McLaren-Mercedes' Kimi Raikkonen.

The German responded with another dominant year in 2004, though, winning a record 12 of the first 13 races.

Alonso ended Schumacher's title run last year, as Schumacher and Ferrari struggled to adapt to rule changes intended to stop their dominance.

Ferrari attributed the problems to its Bridgestone tires. Schumacher won only one race, the United States GP that only six drivers contested due to safety concerns with rival Michelin tires.

"I really loved every single moment," Schumacher said of his career.

Schumacher's popularity never matched his accomplishments on the race track.

The most successful driver in Formula One history was often seen as too ambitious and aloof to capture the hearts of fans and peers the way the late Ayrton Senna of Brazil did.

But he got the respect he deserved for his racing, even if somewhat begrudgingly.

Schumacher's dedication to racing was complete. Driven by desire for perfection, he sometimes overstepped the rules.

"He is definitely the most complete driver in Formula One in my opinion," Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa said.

Many saw him as a cold, calculating champion who made few friends on the circuit and who did not hesitate to drive a rival off the track to secure victory.

When his mother died in April 2003, Schumacher won the San Marino Grand Prix hours later.

The 37-year-old Schumacher closely guarded his privacy and usually avoided the Formula One party circuit, apart from some boisterous celebrations of his seven championships.

Back home in Germany at least, Schumacher commanded a large army of fans, who would take vacations to attend races, camping in tents and trailers in rain and shine to see him drive.

Former champion Niki Lauda, an Austrian who also spent time at Ferrari, predicted that few tears would be shed for Schumacher's departure from racing.

"Many have come and gone in Formula One. No one loses any tears over it," Lauda said.

"If Michael decides not to drive anymore, then the most successful driver of all time with seven world championships is stepping down, he said.

"There will be praise and assessments of the man who defined Formula One in recent years and who was the greatest driver. Full stop. Life goes on. In Germany, the interest will fall off," Lauda predicted.
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