Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will retire from Formula One at the end of the season.
The German made the announcement after winning the Italian Grand Prix to reduce title rival Fernando Alonso's lead to just two points.
The Ferrari star's victory was the 90th in a career in which Schumacher has broken every single F1 record.
He will be remembered as one of the greatest, and most controversial, drivers in the history of the sport.
"I have decided that I am going to retire from racing. It has been an exceptional time," the 37-year-old said.
"What motorsport has gven me over the last 30 years, I have loved every moment of it, good and bad."
It has been a tough decision to not work at this level
Michael Schumacher
Schumacher, who will be replaced at Ferrari by Finn Kimi Raikkonen, has dominated the sport since the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994.
That was the year in which Schumacher won his first world title, with Benetton-Ford, and he added further championships in 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
He added: "It has been a tough decision to not work at this level. The day has come and I felt this is the moment.
"As well as timing the decision I though it was fair so Felipe [Massa, his Ferrari team-mate] has a chance to decide his future.
"He has done a great job, good team-mate and he had to decide.
"My future replacement is a driver [Raikkonen] - I was pleased that he was the person and now like to concentrate on this last three races and finish it in style. We have done a big step to the championship today and I look forward to that now."
The records Schumacher has set will probably never be broken, and he set a new standard for F1 drivers with his extreme fitness and commitment to his job.
But his legacy will also be as a driver who stretched the rules to their limit and sometimes beyond in his quest for success.
Controversy followed him throughout his career, and he was involved in a series of incidents that left many observers questioning his sense of fair play.
Maybe I'll start watching F1 again if it becomes remotely interesting, with other drivers winning races!
Sep-10-2006 15:22
chinaboy1021
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Markham
fuck that article. 3rd sentence spoiled the race for me. i was gonna watch it.
Sep-10-2006 15:49
VERTiG0
cunning linguist.
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: no longer Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
quote:
Originally posted by chinaboy1021
fuck that article. 3rd sentence spoiled the race for me. i was gonna watch it.
This is either the funniest joke in the universe, or you're clueless about F1 for the past few years...
Sep-10-2006 16:04
magikb
Home of Lix and Jenn²
Registered: Jan 2004
Location: on the other side
I just opened TA and here this thread was after I just read it on the news on TV about him winning the Italian race and now is retiring.
Oh well, who watching auto racing anyhow... not I
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Sep-10-2006 16:18
chinaboy1021
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Markham
quote:
Originally posted by VERTiG0
This is either the funniest joke in the universe, or you're clueless about F1 for the past few years...
im clueless, said by someone to thinks F1 has been boring because schumi is winning every race. since when.
go fuck yourself
Sep-10-2006 16:25
VERTiG0
cunning linguist.
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: no longer Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
quote:
Originally posted by chinaboy1021
im clueless, said by someone to thinks F1 has been boring because schumi is winning every race. since when.
go fuck yourself
Okay, so he wins the majority of them.
Close enough.
Also let's see here.
2000: Won 9 of 17 races
2001: Won 9 of 17 races
2002: Won 11 out of 17 races
2003: Won 6 of 16 races
2004: Won 13 of 18 races
2005: Sucked and won 1 of 19
2006: Has won 6 of 15 races
So out of a field of 22-ish drivers, winning that many races is quite a majority isn't it? It was the 2004 season that really sealed the deal for me.
Now I'm not saying Formula 1 is boring, because it certainly isn't. However, in my opinion there are more exciting types of racing out there, WRC and BTTC come to mind.
Last edited by VERTiG0 on Sep-10-2006 at 16:36
Sep-10-2006 16:27
The Ear
Built for debauchery
Registered: May 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
Meh... either way the Gretzky of F1 is leaving & just liek then in hockey there will be a battle at the top for years before one can truly dominate ...Alonso's got what it takes, but he does get a bit to easily rattled at times ... either way I'll still be watching ... afterall I've a streak to keep in tact... I haven't missed an F1 race in 15 years come October.
Sep-10-2006 16:40
Sylent Syd
Senior tranceaddict
Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Agua-loo, Canada
quote:
He will be remembered as one of the greatest, and most controversial, drivers in the history of the sport.
I always like to refer Schumi as "the Diego Maradona of F1:" An absolutely brilliant performer who wasn't above bending the rules here and there.
Best memory I have from him was the year Hakkinen won the title (I forget which year). It was down to the last race and Schumacher had to start from the back of the grid. He blew by half of them until his car gave out. Quite the exhibition!
Love him or hate him, he'll be missed.
___________________
The best teachers in your life are the ones who are constantly learning.
Sep-10-2006 16:44
chinaboy1021
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Markham
quote:
Originally posted by VERTiG0
So out of a field of 22-ish drivers, winning that many races is quite a majority isn't it? It was the 2004 season that really sealed the deal for me.
Now I'm not saying Formula 1 is boring, because it certainly isn't. However, in my opinion there are more exciting types of racing out there, WRC and BTTC come to mind.
you are a drunkard. so after winning championship for 5 straight years, you decided to stop watching F1. we're in year 2006. things changed last year and the current season, how is alonso vs schumi battle in turkey not intense. but you probably never saw that race cuz F1 is not "remotely interesting".
fool
Sep-10-2006 16:55
TranceGrooves
TiTan Of TrAncE
Registered: May 2005
Location: EVERYWHERE
quote:
Originally posted by chinaboy1021
childish remarks and cursing ... is that really needed in a discussion about racing? act like an adult dude.
___________________
Let's bring the change!!!
Sep-10-2006 17:03
Cosmic Fur
Debbie Downer
Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Mississauga, Canada
Can't say I'm sad to see him go, at least not at this point. It was the right decision though - no point in dragging out the inevitable.
And chinaboy, F1 isn't nearly as exciting as it used to be. It's all won in the pits and strategies now. Rarely people try to take risks and actually pass the person in front of them, instead of driving right behind them, then going into the pits at the same time and hoping to come out earlier. Do you remember the days when Schumi was in Benetton? Now THAT was racing. I must say the 5 years of total Schumi + Ferrari domination were the most boring years of the sport.
He was definitely the best of the best during his prime, and I don't think I'll live long enough to see another driver as good as him.
___________________
I'm the trouble starter, fuckin' instigator.
I'm the fear-addicted, danger illustrated.
Sep-10-2006 17:12
ChemEnhanced
ƒ¶ƒåƒÓƒÛƒnƒéƒßƒåƒnƒÚƒÕƒÞƒ
Registered: Mar 2005
Location: Milton, ON Canada
He has clearly been the most dominate individual in any sport.....as boring as it is to watch someone win over and over again it clearly shows how great a driver he and his ferrari team are. I watched the race this morning and I think he won by something close to 7 seconds....that is pure dominance.
