The end to a great chapter in F1
It's lucky I watched. Otherwise, the shock of hearing the news might have been greater.
Yep, Micheal is retiring. Sad, but true.
They talked about it the entire race.
But I guess it was during the final lap that Micheal decided, "It's time", and announced to his team through their transmission radio.
Even then it wasn't official. I hoped that it wasn't true.
But, after seeing Jean Todt's gloomy face on the screen after Micheal's car crossed the Chequered flag, and knowing how very close he is to Micheal, I had to accept the fact, this year's the last for Micheal.
Micheal gave his official statement during the Press Conference.
I honestly felt sad...
" There's been a lot of discussion for a long time concerning my future and so on and I think all the fans, all the people interested in motor sport, they have a right to have explained to them what's going to happen. I'm sorry it may have taken longer than some of you wanted but you have to savor a moment, and you have to find the right moment and we feel this is the right moment. To make it short in a way, this is going to be my last Monza race that I'm going to do. At the end of this year, I've decided, together with the team, that I'm going to retire from racing. It has been an exceptional, really exceptional time, what motor sport has given to me in more than thirty years. I've really loved every single moment of the good and the bad times. Those ones make life so special.
In particular, I should thank my family, starting, obviously, with my Dad, my passed-away Mum and obviously my wife and my kids who, at all times, supported what I was doing, and without their support, without their strengths, to survive in this business and this sport, and to perform, I think would have been impossible, and obviously I can't be thankful enough, obviously to my family but also to my mates from the Benetton time and obviously, specially in the Ferrari days when I have made so many friends. I have so many great guys in that team and it has been a really tough decision to decide to not work together at this level with all my friends, my engineers, everybody. They are just so great but one day, the day has to come and I felt that at one point that this is the moment as well as, in terms of timing the decision, I thought that it was fair to find that moment so that Felipe has a chance to decide his future, because I think he is a very great guy. He has been doing a very good job for the team, very supportive, a really great team-mate, and there was a moment for him to decide for his future, and there was no point for me to take my decision any later than his decision had to be taken and this was the conclusion.As well as in a way my future replacement, it's a driver - at some stage the team will tell you - but I was always pleased and I knew a long time ago - to hear that he was the person, and now I would just like to concentrate on these last three wins and finish it in style, and hopefully with the championship, we have made a big step today for that and I really look forward.
And I want to thank everybody who has been on my way, or supporting me at all stages. They have been a lot of people.
Thank you very much. "
However, I know Micheal will still be there in years to come, becoming the force to reckon with, eventhough behind the scene!
As Micheal steps down, another name arises in filling his shoes - Kimi Raikonnen. Let's hope he'll continue the legacy of Micheal Schumacher for the Scuderria Ferrari and the Tifossi! And Micheal is not an easy act to follow!Links:-
- Italian press hail retiring Schumacher
- Australian GP salutes retiring Schumacher
- Schumacher - A Champion who divides opinion
- Luca di Montezemolo on Michael Schumacher
- Italian Grand Prix press conference
- Michael Schumacher's career 90 wins
- Schumacher scoffs at F1 comeback rumours
- Raikkonen has high expectations for 2007
ps: I'm still hoping one day I'll have the opportunity to shake hands with Micheal.
pss: Another sad news (although this is a bit of an old news) for the Azzurris - the Italian lost to France 3-1, in their (re)match in the European 2008 Championship qualifying. But, it's ok... There's still hope!
