Michael Schumacher made declaration about his retirement from Formula One another time, and at 43 on September 04 after failing to renew his previous Ferrari thrill in an unsatisfactory return with Mercedes.
During the last week, the group had already declared that the seven-time world champ, victor of a record 91 races in a life history, which commenced in the year 1991, would be substituted by McLaren Lewis Hamilton for the beginning of the 2013 drive.
Michael told media persons, packed into the limited space of the camped Mercedes hospitality at the Suzuka circuit prior to Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix that his verdict came as a respite.
Michael said, “I have determined to take retirement by 2012 end, even though I am still talented and competent to fight with the best drivers that are around.”
Michael Schumacher initial departure came at 2006’s end, after he had bagged 5 coveted titles successively with Ferrari from 2000 and two with Benetton in the years 1994 and 1995 respectively.
That exit turned out premature, with the most flourishing driver in the 62-year record of the sport incapable to oppose the appeal of a come back with Mercedes when the Stuttgart-based maker purchased the title-winning Brawn GP group in the year 2009.
The decision reunified Schumacher with pal and ex Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, now the group principal, but mutually they were incapable to push back the years and get back the heights of old.
Michael Schumacher has been on the platform only one time in his past 3 seasons, a third position in Valencia during 2012, and drew back from half of the 14 races thus far this year. His last triumph was with Ferrari in China in the year 2006.
Today’s verdict might be witnessed as an inevitable result of Hamilton’s signature on a Mercedes agreement but there had been some lingering conjecture that Schumacher could seek to fight on with a lesser group such as Sauber.