10.9.06

Michael Schumacher put an end to months or rather years of speculation today by announcing that he will retire from race driving at the end of the 2006 World Championship.The Factory issued a press release with the news as he was on the slowing down lap after winning the Italian GP at Monza. An unhappy-looking Michael himself made his announcement in the post-race press conference.

Whatever the final result of this year's championship, Michael will leave Formula 1 holding almost all the records. To date he has taken seven Drivers' world titles and has contributed to the same number of team wins in the Constructors' Championship. He has taken part in 247 Formula 1 Grand Prix (178 of them at the wheel of a Ferrari), won 90 (71) been on pole 68 (58) times, setting 75 (52) fastest race laps. He has amassed a total of 1354 points, 1051 of them in a Maranello car. No-one in the world of motor racing has ever done better.

Schumacher has been with Scuderia Ferrari for eleven seasons and the importance of his role in its revival cannot be overstated. When he joined the Scuderia in 1996 it was in the doldrums, not having won a Driver's Championship since 1979 or a Constructors' since 1983. In signing him for Ferrari Jean Todt not only secured the best driver in the world, but also Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne and Nigel Stepney, the core of the team which went on to dominate Formula One for six consecutive seasons, a record unparalleled in the sport.

He was immediately competitive, despite a car that was clearly inferior to those of his rivals and took his first victory for the Scuderia in the wet at the Spanish GP. It is Michael's uncanny ability to take advantage of any opportunity and deliver which marks him apart from lesser drivers. This ability, together with that to drive every lap of a race flat out (especially in and out laps) brought Ferrari many wins in an era where passing took place as a result of pit-stop strategy rather than on the track. Him and Ross Brawn were the absolute masters of the genre.

He was robbed of his first world title in 1999 when he broke his leg in a crash at the British GP but got his dues the following year, he then won the title for the next four consecutive years. Such was his dominance in 2002 that the title was tied up with six races to go.

"Words are not enough and whatever I could say now will never fully express how much I love this fascinating world of motor sport and all it has given me," said Michael Schumacher. "From go-karting to Formula 1, I have lived through moments that I will never forget. I am profoundly grateful for everything I have had. I want to thank everyone who has accompanied me, supported and inspired me, right back to the days of my childhood. Above all, a special thanks goes to Corinna and our two children, who have given me the strength to do what I have done. All these years in Formula 1 have been amazing, especially those spent alongside my friends in the Scuderia. Soon my future will belong to my family."

Ferrari President and CEO, Luca di Montezemolo said. "We have lived through some unforgettable times together, some good some bad, achieving results that will be hard to equal. To Michael goes the thanks of everyone in the company and supporters of Ferrari for all the dedication he has shown to our colours, for the determination and courage with which he has worked, which has provided immense satisfaction. He is both sincere and passionate and has earned the affection of all of us and of our fans."

Schumacher will continue with Ferrari in some role yet to be defined, but next season he will be replaced on the track by Kimi Raikkonen who has signed until 2009. The Finn will be partnered by Felipe Massa, whose deal extends to 2008.

F1 is the very soul of Ferrari, it is what sets it apart from lesser marques and we would like to express our sadness, gratitude to and admiration for the man who has given us such pleasure by bringing our beloved marque such success. We wish him a long and happy retirement.

His Monza victory saw him cut Fernando Alonso's world championship lead to just two points (and Ferrari take the lead in the Constructors' title chase). So now we can look forward with optimism to him leaving the sport with his eighth title.

Forza Schumacher! Forza Ferrari!