[StevenS]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19826983

No surprise really. I couldn't see him wanting to drive for Sauber, and there was really no where else for him to go.

[Tam04xa]

I think he should have realised himself that he isn't quite the same. Maybe when you get into your late 30's and 40's, reaction times etc aren't the same.

[CaseyFan]

I think he should have realised himself that he isn't quite the same. Maybe when you get into your late 30's and 40's, reaction times etc aren't the same.

Especially when the rest of the grid is practically made up of kids.

[Gymngatagaica]

I think he should have realised himself that he isn't quite the same. Maybe when you get into your late 30's and 40's, reaction times etc aren't the same.

I think it's probably more the motivation factor.

When you've won everything multiple times, broken just about every record going and you've got 500 squillionbillionquadripillion pounds in the bank it must be hard to really put yourself on the line and find that extra 2 or 3% which can make the difference in F1.

[Shinegayboyx]

So, epic fail then

[Tam04xa]

I think it's probably more the motivation factor.

When you've won everything multiple times, broken just about every record going and you've got 500 squillionbillionquadripillion pounds in the bank it must be hard to really put yourself on the line and find that extra 2 or 3% which can make the difference in F1.

I dare say it's a factor, and it's probably the reason he's given. But he'll know as well as we do that he's having accidents which aren't really what he's made his career doing.

[PapsEdisa]

So, epic fail then

How is it an epic fail if, at 40 years old, you're still a formidable opponent at the highest level of racing? Sure, he hasn't reached former levels and probably been less constant (let alone successful) than he'd have liked to be, but it would have been a bit of a disgrace really to Formula One if an oldtimer could just come back and kick everyone's asses again.

He's been on the podium again and he hasn't been terrible - not an epic fail in my opinion, but a valid reason to call it a day.

[WhileKelf]

Not too much of a surprise, though I'd have like to see him win at least one more race. Shame that Mercedes just isn't good enough yet, as Hamilton will no doubt find out next year!

[PapsEdisa]

Michael Schumacher has revealed that he is to retire from F1 for a second time after being replaced at Mercedes for the 2013 F1 season.

The seven-time champion came out of retirement to compete for the the team at the start of the 2010 season, inking a three-year deal in the process.

Results have however failed to match expectations, with just one podium finish, which came in Valencia earlier this year.

Speculation about the German's future had been ongoing for some time before it was confirmed last week that he was to leave Mercedes, with the Brackley-based team bringing in Lewis Hamilton to partner Nico Rosberg for 2013.

Although linked with Sauber for next season, Schumacher has instead elected to bring the curtain down on his career for the second time after more than 300 F1 races, with his time in the sport ending at the conclusion of the current season.

“I have decided to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season, although I am still able to compete with the best drivers of the world,” he said. “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 goodbye.

“Already during the past weeks and months I was not sure if I would still have the motivation and energy which is necessary to go on; and it is not my style to do anything which I am not 100 per cent convinced about. With today's decision I feel released from those doubts. In the end, it is not my ambition to just drive around but to fight for victories; and the pleasure of driving is nourished by competitiveness.”

Schumacher added that, although results in recent seasons hadn't been as good as he hoped for, he could leave the sport more than happy with his achievements.

“I said at the end of 2009 that I want to be measured by my success, and this is why I had a lot of criticism in the past three years which partly was justified," he said. "It is without doubt that we did not achieve our goal to develop a world championship fighting car within those three years. It is also without doubt that I cannot provide a long term perspective to anyone. But then it is also clear that I can still be very happy about my overall achievements in Formula 1.

“In the past six years I have learned a lot, also about me, and I am thankful for it: for example, that you can open yourself up without losing focus. That losing can be both more difficult and more instructive than winning; something I had lost out of sight sometimes in earlier years. That you have to appreciate to be able to do what you love. That you have to live your convictions. I have opened my horizon, and I am at ease with myself.

“I would like to thank Daimler, Mercedes-Benz and the Team for their trust. But I also would like to thank all my friends, partners and companions, who over many good years in motorsport supported me. But most of all I would like to thank my family for standing always by my side, giving me the freedom to live my convictions and sharing my joy." http://www.crash.net/f1/news/184643/...cond_time.html

[Shinegayboyx]

How is it an epic fail if, at 40 years old, you're still a formidable opponent at the highest level of racing? Sure, he hasn't reached former levels and probably been less constant (let alone successful) than he'd have liked to be, but it would have been a bit of a disgrace really to Formula One if an oldtimer could just come back and kick everyone's asses again.

He's been on the podium again and he hasn't been terrible - not an epic fail in my opinion, but a valid reason to call it a day.

You're right, but I would've tried something else instead like DTM or rally like raikkonen and retain his F1 status

[PapsEdisa]

You're right, but I would've tried something else instead like DTM or rally like raikkonen and retain his F1 status

Well then, all the more props to Schumi then for not actually giving that much of a f.ck about his status, and actually putting his balls on the line. Mind you, he did try his hand at racing motorcycles in the IDM for a short while. I don't remember specifics, but I think it went about as well as his current F1 career - good enough to be noticed, but not good enough to win anything with one hand behind his back. ("Met twee vingers in z'n neus", zeg maar. )

I imagine he will take up racing in a 'lower' class now. Similarly, Casey Stoner is most likely to become a V8 Supercar driver in Australia next year.

[Plaumpholavup]

How is it an epic fail if, at 40 years old, you're still a formidable opponent at the highest level of racing? Sure, he hasn't reached former levels and probably been less constant (let alone successful) than he'd have liked to be, but it would have been a bit of a disgrace really to Formula One if an oldtimer could just come back and kick everyone's asses again. i totally agree. the guy still drives like a purpose built robot more or less but the cracks are showing. at least this way people will remember him being pretty awesome.

[avaiguite]

I am saddened by this, i thought he had more to give but i guess this isnt the real life version of Rocky Balboa.


He made not have had much flair, but he was an impeccable driver and with the right car he was a winning machine. Lets not forget theres a few more races to go so i hope he can finish strong and without incident.

[jokilewqs]

I am saddened by this, i thought he had more to give but i guess this isnt the real life version of Rocky Balboa.


He made not have had much flair, but he was an impeccable driver and with the right car he was a winning machine. Lets not forget theres a few more races to go so i hope he can finish strong and without incident.

Yeah, if he was in a car like the Red Bull, he probably could of pulled it off. Hopefully he will relax more, now that he has decided his future and enjoy the rest of the season, driving more like he used to.

[StitsVobsaith]

after seeing merc go backwords every season to new lows is it really any surprising he was hesitant about extending his contract?

suzuka just confirms how **** mercedes are.

soon only the hrt/caterham/marussia cars will be qualifying behind mercedes.

[avaiguite]

Yeah the Mercedes team has been quite rubbish for a while now. I for one dont blame McShoe for some of the bad performances. He put it on pole once and put it on the podium as well, thats pretty good for a old man driving a car thats been evolving backwards, had horrible reliability and simply stupid strategic calls by the team.

[StevenS]

Yeah the Mercedes team has been quite rubbish for a while now. I for one dont blame McShoe for some of the bad performances. He put it on pole once and put it on the podium as well, thats pretty good for a old man driving a car thats been evolving backwards, had horrible reliability and simply stupid strategic calls by the team.

"Old man"? He's 43......

[PapsEdisa]

"Old man"? He's 43......

Old man by Formula One standards.

[StitsVobsaith]

"Old man"? He's 43......

vettel and schumacher

schumacher and vettel


hes ancient in f1 terms one of the torro rosso drivers was only born 1 year before schumachers first grand prix

[WhileKelf]

vettel and schumacher

Somewhat ironic, that Vettel could possibly beat his 7 WDC titles one day...