Michael Schumacher to retire at the end of the Formula One season: Autoweek TV
Sad
In a statement, the driver said:
"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. 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 good-bye.”
Again?
The Jets could try him out at quarterback!
I can't say I'm surprised. He hasn't really shown himself to be on top of his game this year, and Mercedes needs someone who will finish more races. Well, finish them when the checkered flag drops, not when Michael smacks into the back of some other driver.
He's had one heck of a career.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
In what way? Yeah, he rear-ended somebody once, but so did Romain and Pastor did it 2-3 times. If you discount all the times the crap-box Merc broke on him, his average finishes are actually really good. Damn sight better than Massa... Plus, he has a 2nd on the season in one of the slowest cars. Had he been in the Fezza instead of Massa, Ferrari would have locked up the Constructor's by now. (Or the RB, or the Lotus, but probably not the McLaren, they break a lot, too).
I really hope he ends up driving somewhere (even if that is DTM or WTCC or LeMans or Sauber or wherever).
I think he's rear-ended three people this season. Singapore, Spain and I thought there was a third. Well, other than Singapore 2011. You don't win championships by crashing*. I have been underwhelmed by him. This is also the first F1 season where I've actually watched more than one race, so this is just the impression of a relative newcomer to the bewildering politics and tactics that F1. I'm surprised he wasn't able to help make the Mercedes more competitive, as it was my understanding (see above note referencing newbie status) that he was very good at improving cars.
I can see him going to endurance racing, that seems to reward experienced drivers.
*Unless it's the last race of the season and taking out Villeneuve or Hill will give you the championship. I've never forgiven him for that cheap shot at Villeneuve.
I'm actually surprised that Schumacher hasn't already gotten into endurance racing. There's certainly plenty of precedent for F1 drivers being successful in it. I doubt he needs the money with what his salary has been, though, he can probably sit back and live the rest of his live on what he already has and what endorsement deals he can continue to make.
With what Ferrari and Mercedes paid him.... maybe he should start his own F1 team...
Schumacher Racing 
Wish he could have gotten at least one podium before he left. Should have stayed gone.
Javelin wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: In what way? Yeah, he rear-ended somebody once, but so did Romain and Pastor did it 2-3 times.
The bar for a 7-time champion is a bit higher than it is for those clowns.
Yeah! He needs to retire and give up a seat to some other guy. His Brett Favre-like comeback will finally come to an end.
I think it is a sad way to end his career. Kinda like Jordan playing for the Wizards. Yea he's there competing but is he REALLY competing?
Keith Tanner wrote: I'm surprised he wasn't able to help make the Mercedes more competitive, as it was my understanding (see above note referencing newbie status) that he was very good at improving cars.
I think he's a big part of the reason that Mercedes is as competitive as it is. They won a race this year, which is the first since they were called Brawn GP, and he took pole at Monaco. That's pretty good for a 3-year-old team, Red Bull didn't win a race til the 5th year after they bought Jag.
Yes, Mercedes looks slow compared to the golden year as Brawn GP, but keep in mind that Honda had spent 2 years and untold millions of dollars building that car, then gave up before it ever raced and sold it to Ross Brawn for $1. It was dominant for half a season, but by the summer had dropped off compared the competition and Button just barely hung on for the championship. Brawn didn't have the resources to continue to develop it.
Back to Schumacher, I think his reaction times have definitely dropped off, but he has been outperforming Rosberg this year. It doesn't show in the points due to the bad luck he's had with mechanical failures.
I'm not going to defend intentional crashes, but I'll point out that Schumacher was not the first to do it to win a championship.
Feedyurhed wrote: Wish he could have gotten at least one podium before he left. Should have stayed gone.
Uh, he got third at the European GP, that's a podium...
Tom_Spangler wrote:Javelin wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: In what way? Yeah, he rear-ended somebody once, but so did Romain and Pastor did it 2-3 times.The bar for a 7-time champion is a bit higher than it is for those clowns.
You realize he won his first by intentionally ramming someone, right?
Javelin wrote:Tom_Spangler wrote:You realize he won his first by intentionally ramming someonewhile driving an illigal car to boot, right?Javelin wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: In what way? Yeah, he rear-ended somebody once, but so did Romain and Pastor did it 2-3 times.The bar for a 7-time champion is a bit higher than it is for those clowns.
I added the words missing from your sentance.
Like Senna, I admire(d) the guys talent, but his sportsmanship has been lacking all through his career. I have very little respect for him and am glad he's gone.
Javelin wrote: You realize he won his first by intentionally ramming someone, right?
You realize that he had to be in the position to be able to do that, right? Not defending the action at all, but to say that the ramming was the only reason he won that title is a gross oversimplification. It's a season-long championship.
Note, I've never been a big fan of him. He's dirty. But to deny his talent and skill is just silly.
Tom_Spangler wrote:Javelin wrote: You realize he won his first by intentionally ramming someone, right?You realize that he had to be in the position to be able to do that, right? Not defending the action at all, but to say that the ramming was the only reason he won that title is a gross oversimplification. It's a season-long championship. Note, I've never been a big fan of him. He's dirty. But to deny his talent and skill is just silly.
Which is true, he was in that position to do so thanks to a car that had illigal drivers aids after they were banned. Most people accept they were using illigal traction control, although it couldn't be proved. most insiders seem to agree it happened. What isn't in doubt is the fact they were using illigal fuel control valves to speed up refuling. They got in to trouble for that one.
Hill should have been the 94 champion had it not been for a cheater in a cheating car with cheating pit equipment, no doubt.
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
You and I have been around and around on this in the past. Maybe the Benetton was illegal, it's very possible. But the thing is, he want on to win 6 more championships and more races than anyone, ever. Poor sportsman or not, you can't deny that record.
Javelin wrote:Feedyurhed wrote: Wish he could have gotten at least one podium before he left. Should have stayed gone.Uh, he got third at the European GP, that's a podium...
Only because about 7 drivers in front of him made poor strategy decisions. I realize that is part of the game, strategy, but lets not act like it was on pure pace or something.
oldeskewltoy wrote: With what Ferrari and Mercedes paid him.... maybe he should start his own F1 team... Schumacher Racing
He has another deal in the works... like the Trump of Abu Dhabi http://vimeo.com/22195398
There's nothing sad about a 43 year old F1 driver retiring while he can still race in the top half of the field against drivers half his age. It's time to move on.
Tom_Spangler wrote: In reply to Adrian_Thompson: You and I have been around and around on this in the past. Maybe the Benetton was illegal, it's very possible. But the thing is, he want on to win 6 more championships and more races than anyone, ever. Poor sportsman or not, you can't deny that record.
I know I know. But it should have been 4 or 5 total, not 7. He is/was a great driving talent, so was Senna, but I don't/didn't like either of them.
Senna is experiencing a massive resurgence of popularity thanks to the Senna documentary (we saw it together), I respect him (and the Chin) but it doen'st change the fact I don't like them
Keith Tanner wrote: I have been underwhelmed by him. This is also the first F1 season where I've actually watched more than one race, so this is just the impression of a relative newcomer to the bewildering politics and tactics that F1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4NKaAAgioI
He had a good run - but it was '91 thru '04. I was never a fan but I can say that during his time at Jordan and Bennetton he proved that there was more to him than a fast Ferrari. His 1st 2 championships were before he got that ride. There was a time when he was so damn impressive compared to his team mates and peers that it would be easy to blame the car for the successes... but look at the telemetry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtaV_cOGgTM
He was unfortunately as ruthless and unsportsmanlike as he was talented.
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