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He has quit while on top and the records he has set will stand for decades. With a bit of luck someone will arrive that can dominate the way he has but some how I doubt it. With a bit of luck Lewis Hamilton will help fill the vacuum and give Alonso and Kimi a run for their money in a Mclaren.
Managing Director, Jean Todt said:I had always said that the decision to retire would be his alone, but now that decision has been taken, I feel a sense of sadness.
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. His relationship with Maranello will continue, albeit in a different form and I am very happy about that.
Michael Schumacher said:Michael has been the author of a unique chapter in the history of Formula 1 and of Ferrari in particular.
It has yet to reach its conclusion and what he has achieved extends over and above the results obtained. He is an exceptional man and will become a legend as a driver. For me personally, he is a great friend and together we have lived through unrepeatable experiences. Having had the opportunity to work alongside him has been and will continue to be a privilege.
Michael will take up a role at Ferrari to be announced at the end of the year.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.
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, while I am happy to be still part of Ferrari. But for now, what matters is this world championship.
He was good, no doubt about that.F1greyhound wrote:the king?
With all evidence pointing to MICHAELs retirement the sport is about to loose its best driver ever, at least of the last 15 years. ...
He does not hold the record for the most starts in GPs..backmarker wrote:Every generation has a motor sport hero and I am just so glad that the F1 hero of my generation was one Michael Schumacher, holder of every single record in F1. I, as well as all of you, have been lucky enough to witness history with every single race Schu drove in the past few years since passing Prost's record of 51 wins. Every race since then has been a new chapter in the record books. Love him or loathe him, you canot take away this greatness we have seen.
Nobody biting today?Julian Mayo wrote: He does not hold the record for the most starts in GPs..
I consider myself UNLUCKY to have witnessed the detriment he has brought to the SPORT I love.
He will be remembered only by those who worship him, I pesonally cannot wait to forget him.
Your losing your edge Julian You'd better say something really contraversial. I'd like to help but I'm not gonna stick my neck out while Jenson is finishing 5th and driving around with a barn door on his car and complaining about lack of straight line speed at Monza!!!!! 
sigh............Snowy wrote:Nobody biting today?Julian Mayo wrote: He does not hold the record for the most starts in GPs..
I consider myself UNLUCKY to have witnessed the detriment he has brought to the SPORT I love.
He will be remembered only by those who worship him, I pesonally cannot wait to forget him.
I'd rather have two Spaniards racing for McLaren. De La Rosa is a good driver. Hamilton ain't bad either but just like Speed he will need some more time to adapt. I'd very much like to see McLaren to become as competitive as in 2005. At that time their cars let them down. Alonso in a McLaren may prove to be a little too JPM-ish. If the car breaks down a coupla times the young'un will lose all his motivation.Snowy wrote:Michael has retired
