Brett
09-10-2006, 11:31 AM
MONZA, Italy (AP) -- Michael Schumacher announced his retirement from Formula One on Sunday, moments after the seven-time world champion won the Italian Grand Prix.
The 37-year-old Ferrari driver, who holds every major record in the sport, will leave after the year-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Oct. 22.
"Soon my future will belong to my family," Schumacher said. "But for now, what matters is this world championship."
Ferrari said it would announce a "new role" for Schumacher at the end of the season.
"I will always be part of the Ferrari family," he said.
The German was composed during his news conference. That was not the case immediately after his victory in which he drew within two points of leader Fernando Alonso with three races left. Kimi Raikkonen, who was on the pole, finished second and Robert Kubica was third.
"It was obviously pretty emotional the lap after the race, talking to everyone and telling them my decision," Schumacher said. "It just overwhelmed me."
Schumacher said he wanted to make the decision now so Felipe Massa could work out his future with the team. Ferrari said Massa will continue next season and be joined by Raikkonen, who moves over from McLaren-Mercedes.
"One day the day has to come, and I felt this was the moment," Schumacher said.
Franz Beckenbauer, the soccer great and Germany's most popular sports personality, called Schumacher's retirement a "pity."
"It's always too bad when such a great personality steps down," he said.
Thomas Bach, Germany's top sports official and a vice president of the IOC, said Schumacher's achievements "go beyond Formula One and sport itself."
Schumacher's seven titles are two more than Juan Manuel Fangio's five. Schumacher won his first two titles with the Benetton team in 1994 and '95, then restored Ferrari to prominence with five consecutive championships from 2000-04.
Schumacher said he "loved every single moment" of his career but made up his mind to retire after winning the U.S. Grand Prix in July.
"It's not as if I'm lacking anything," he said. "Might as well leave while I'm still at the top level."
The German showed signs of vulnerability when he won the 2003 title by only two points over Raikkonen. Schumacher responded with another dominant year in 2004, though, winning a record 12 of the first 13 races.
Alonso ended Schumacher's title run last year, with Schumacher and Ferrari struggling to adapt to rule changes intended to stop their dominance.
On Sunday, Alonso's race ended because of a mechanical problem on the 43rd lap. Smoke began billowing from the back of the Spaniard's Renault on the main straightaway. He had just moved into third position when his engine failed.
Alonso was penalized five places on the starting grid for blocking Massa during qualifying and he started 10th.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The 37-year-old Ferrari driver, who holds every major record in the sport, will leave after the year-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Oct. 22.
"Soon my future will belong to my family," Schumacher said. "But for now, what matters is this world championship."
Ferrari said it would announce a "new role" for Schumacher at the end of the season.
"I will always be part of the Ferrari family," he said.
The German was composed during his news conference. That was not the case immediately after his victory in which he drew within two points of leader Fernando Alonso with three races left. Kimi Raikkonen, who was on the pole, finished second and Robert Kubica was third.
"It was obviously pretty emotional the lap after the race, talking to everyone and telling them my decision," Schumacher said. "It just overwhelmed me."
Schumacher said he wanted to make the decision now so Felipe Massa could work out his future with the team. Ferrari said Massa will continue next season and be joined by Raikkonen, who moves over from McLaren-Mercedes.
"One day the day has to come, and I felt this was the moment," Schumacher said.
Franz Beckenbauer, the soccer great and Germany's most popular sports personality, called Schumacher's retirement a "pity."
"It's always too bad when such a great personality steps down," he said.
Thomas Bach, Germany's top sports official and a vice president of the IOC, said Schumacher's achievements "go beyond Formula One and sport itself."
Schumacher's seven titles are two more than Juan Manuel Fangio's five. Schumacher won his first two titles with the Benetton team in 1994 and '95, then restored Ferrari to prominence with five consecutive championships from 2000-04.
Schumacher said he "loved every single moment" of his career but made up his mind to retire after winning the U.S. Grand Prix in July.
"It's not as if I'm lacking anything," he said. "Might as well leave while I'm still at the top level."
The German showed signs of vulnerability when he won the 2003 title by only two points over Raikkonen. Schumacher responded with another dominant year in 2004, though, winning a record 12 of the first 13 races.
Alonso ended Schumacher's title run last year, with Schumacher and Ferrari struggling to adapt to rule changes intended to stop their dominance.
On Sunday, Alonso's race ended because of a mechanical problem on the 43rd lap. Smoke began billowing from the back of the Spaniard's Renault on the main straightaway. He had just moved into third position when his engine failed.
Alonso was penalized five places on the starting grid for blocking Massa during qualifying and he started 10th.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.