Goodness me ...........Schumacher is retiring

Michael Schumacher announces retirement at Italian Grand Prix,Monaza.

Michael Schumacher set the scene perfectly with a trademark victory in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza before announcing the end of his record-breaking career.

Formula One’s most successful driver will hang up his helmet for good in Brazil next month after admitting he could not be sure of maintaining his high standards next season.

He had no problems living up to expectations today though and delivered exactly what Ferrari’s home crowd wanted before revealing his retirement.

“You have to find the right moment and we feel this is the right moment,” the 37-year-old said. “This is going to be my last Monza race.

“At the end of this season I have decided with the team I am going to retire from racing.”

Schumacher’s chances of retiring as an eight-time world champion look better than ever after his commanding win from Ferrari successor Kimi Raikkonen today.

He moved to within two points of championship leader Fernando Alonso after the Renault driver retired from third with engine failure.

Ferrari were just digesting that stroke of luck when Schumacher revealed his decision over the radio as he lapped up the adulation of an 80,000 crowd following his 90th win.

After a decade at Ferrari, Monza proved to be an emotional venue to announce his 16th season will be his last.

He said: “It was obviously pretty emotional to take the lap back after the race.

“I was talking to my team and informed everybody of my decision and probably this was the most emotional moment. To finish so well, with such a crowd, just overwhelmed me.”

Schumacher confessed doubts over his ability to continue fighting at the front next year and beyond prompted him to call time on his career.

He added: “It has naturally been difficult in a way but at one moment I simply knew.

“All the effort, all the energy, all the motivation you need in order to be competitive – and that is the only reason I want to be here – I can’t say I’m going to have that for future years. It has been such a good time and there is no point just hanging on.”

However, Schumacher is adamant he is leaving Formula One at the top of his game and does not expect retirement to blunt his competitive edge in the remaining three grands prix.


Schumacher celebrates at Monaza.

What I feel:
He could've continued until he was forty.

Never again will such a great come.
Never again will someone have a chance to win 100 career titles
Never again will someone have a chance to win 100 career races and 10 seasons.