Schumacher wins Italian GP, says he plans to retire

[Gawain of Orkeny]

I was shocked when I saw the press interview after the Italian GP. They had been talking of how Michael may be leaving Ferrari at the end of the year during the race. But if that wasnt enough of a shock he ammounced his retirment from GP racing at the end of this season. He has closed to within two points of taking the championship lead with htree races to go. This is the end of an era and Schumacher is without a doubt one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. Its really sad to see him go. I hope he goes on to finish on top.

Goodbye Michael (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/racing/more/09/10/bc.car.f1.schumacherret.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories)

[Papewaio]

Great athlete, poor sportsman.

Glad to see him race, wouldn't mind seeing him win on his last year. Really impressed with how he raised the athletic bar for the sport, can't say I'm a fan of his sporting style. So I won't be sad that he has left.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

You probably liked this guy. But then again you may not be old enough to remember him

http://www.motorracing.tv/assets/dbimages/jones_head.jpg
Alan Jones

Heres one of the cars he drove.
http://www.motorracing.tv/assets/dbimages/jones_6wheeler.jpg
Notice anything strange?

[Banquo's Ghost]

Hey, Alan Jones! There's a blast from the past.

I have been nursing my private grief at the realisation that Michael will retire at the end of the season - but as a thread has been posted, I feel the need to contribute something.

For 16 years I have been privileged to watch one of the greatest drivers of all time. At first, with Jordan and Benetton, I watched him with fascination and admiration. Then he came to my beloved Ferrari.

For 21 years we had underachieved. Michael brought not just raw driving talent, but a monumental desire to be champion. No more petty politics, just a drive to win. It was agonising, seeing him come so close so often and then in 2000, he did it. World Champion number 1 belonged on a Ferrari again. (Although good old Eddie nearly spoiled the fairy story for Michael in 1999 with an inspired season).

There may be some negative comments in the thread about him and his style. I contend that, in nearly forty years of watching F1, I have never seen a real champion without a dark side, an unquenchable desire to be the best. The funniest comparisons are with Ayrton Senna, who died young enough to be canonised and seemingly erase people's memories of his utter ruthlessness. Great champions are always ruthless - look at Stirling Moss, one of the few true gentlemen of F1 and the greatest driver never to win the World Championship. There's also the issue of the English speaking press having the hump because he is German - and too good - they just love to watch people fail.

It's not just his records as a driver that make Michael the greatest. Every champion before him made sure to pick the best car he could - sometimes getting it wrong. Michael chose Ferrari, at its nadir, and made the Prancing Horse great again through the force of his will. He did it by building a team and devoting himself selflessly to that team. Whilst the other playboys had their champagne dinners and courted the press to complain about Schumi winning everything, he was invariably to be found in the pits, late at night, with his mechanics, getting the very last thing right. They loved him, those mechanics, and they're not easy to impress. He would take them out to dinner, look after their families - he built Ferrari into the family the Old Man would have been proud of.

That's the ultimate accolade. I believe Enzo would have adored Michael and his dedication.

I shall miss watching him. To think I will never see him fly round Spa again. It's almost unbearable. Very seldom does one see a sportsman redefine the pinnacle of his sport. I rather hope that Michael may return to manage Ferrari when Jean Todt retires. But for now:

Forza Schumi!

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I was hugely saddened by the news that Michael is retiring. As well as being, in my opinion, the best Fomula 1 driver the world has ever seen-hell, the FIA has been constantly changing rules in order to try and stop him winning, and it still hasn't worked-he has had truly phenomenal staying power. I've watched F1 since a very young age, and Schumi is one of the very few drivers who has been there since I can remember. It won't seem right watching a Grand Prix without him.

[Quid]

Hey, Alan Jones! There's a blast from the past.

I have been nursing my private grief at the realisation that Michael will retire at the end of the season - but as a thread has been posted, I feel the need to contribute something.

For 16 years I have been privileged to watch one of the greatest drivers of all time. At first, with Jordan and Benetton, I watched him with fascination and admiration. Then he came to my beloved Ferrari.

For 21 years we had underachieved. Michael brought not just raw driving talent, but a monumental desire to be champion. No more petty politics, just a drive to win. It was agonising, seeing him come so close so often and then in 2000, he did it. World Champion number 1 belonged on a Ferrari again. (Although good old Eddie nearly spoiled the fairy story for Michael in 1999 with an inspired season).

There may be some negative comments in the thread about him and his style. I contend that, in nearly forty years of watching F1, I have never seen a real champion without a dark side, an unquenchable desire to be the best. The funniest comparisons are with Ayrton Senna, who died young enough to be canonised and seemingly erase people's memories of his utter ruthlessness. Great champions are always ruthless - look at Stirling Moss, one of the few true gentlemen of F1 and the greatest driver never to win the World Championship. There's also the issue of the English speaking press having the hump because he is German - and too good - they just love to watch people fail.

It's not just his records as a driver that make Michael the greatest. Every champion before him made sure to pick the best car he could - sometimes getting it wrong. Michael chose Ferrari, at its nadir, and made the Prancing Horse great again through the force of his will. He did it by building a team and devoting himself selflessly to that team. Whilst the other playboys had their champagne dinners and courted the press to complain about Schumi winning everything, he was invariably to be found in the pits, late at night, with his mechanics, getting the very last thing right. They loved him, those mechanics, and they're not easy to impress. He would take them out to dinner, look after their families - he built Ferrari into the family the Old Man would have been proud of.

That's the ultimate accolade. I believe Enzo would have adored Michael and his dedication.

I shall miss watching him. To think I will never see him fly round Spa again. It's almost unbearable. Very seldom does one see a sportsman redefine the pinnacle of his sport. I rather hope that Michael may return to manage Ferrari when Jean Todt retires. But for now:

Forza Schumi!

Bravo, bravo. Shockingly accurate. No matter what you think of the man, the world, as of yet, has not seen anyone more dedicated to F1 racing than he has been.

I have personally not liked him in his early years (Formula Ford and Formula 3 and beginning of Formula 1) - a sentiment I now have for Alonso - as I often supported the underdogs and the great Alain Prost. But as time wore on the guy sort of grew on me as he never tired to work for the team and showed total committment not only as a driver but also as a passionate footballer and father. He seems to be serious in everything he does and that is something I have nothing but admiration for.

It's was sad to hear that he was going to retire but then we all knew it was going to happen much sooner than later. I hope he will manage to grab his eighth title and so will have a worthy goodbye from Formula 1 Racing.

Good luck, Schumi!

Quid

[edyzmedieval]

I never liked Schumacher. I was always against him.

Plus, Ferrari started playing dirty.