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Schumacher announces his retirement

The German drives to his fifth win at Monza; Raikkonen to join Ferrari next season

PHOTO: AP

GOOD BYE CHAMP: Michael Schumacher, celebrating his fifth win at the Italian GP on Sunday, has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

Monza: Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany will retire at the end of the current season, his Ferrari team announced after his fifth victory at Monza on Sunday.

Schumacher sensationally kept in contention for an eighth world drivers' title by closing the gap to Spain's Fernando Alonso to two points in what was his 90th career victory in Formula One.

The 37-year-old German, who in emotional scenes at the old Autodromo Nazionale hugged his wife Corinna, Ferrari team president Luca di Montezemolo and team chief Jean Todt, announced his retirement in a statement issued as he crossed the line in triumph.

Fans flooded the circuit as he stood atop the podium for the 90th time having cut Fernando Alonso's lead in the drivers championship to just two points.

In a statement, Ferrari said: "Michael Schumacher will retire from race driving at the end of the 2006 World championship."

His place at Ferrari next season will be taken by Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who finished second for McLaren Mercedes behind him in Sunday's dramatic race.

Emotional

An emotional but controlled Schumacher said afterwards "There has been a lot of discussion for a long time about my decision to retire.

"And all the motor sport people have a right to have an explanation of what will happen.

"You have to find the moment, and we feel this is the right moment.

"It's going to be my last Monza race. I have decided with the team that I'm going to retire from racing."

He added: "I have loved all the good times and the bad moments which makes life so special. I would like to thank my dad and my mum and kids who have supported me.

"Without their strength, it would have been impossible. I cannot thank my family enough but also to all my mates at (former team) Benetton and at Ferrari and I have so many great friends there.

"It has been so great but the day had to come and I felt that this was the moment (...)

"Now I would like to concentrate on the three races and finish it in style and hopefully with the championship."

Schumacher added: "It's a championship which started difficult in the beginning, and now we're only two points behind (Alonso) with three races to go.

"We are 100 per cent focused on the constructors and the drivers' championship."

Ferrari president Montezemolo, who stood on the pit wall during the race, said: "I always said his decision to retire would be his alone, but now that decision has been taken, I feel a sense of sadness".

Exceptional man

Team chief Jean Todt said: "Michael has been the author of a unique chapter in Formula One and for Ferrari in particular.

"It has yet to reach its conclusion and what he has achieved extends over and above the results obtained."

Schumacher added that Massa's future at Ferrari had also played a role in his decision.

"I cannot see that I will continue to be competitive and that is part of this. There is no point in just hanging in and taking away a future from someone young and talented like Felipe.

"His future had to be decided around Indianapolis and I saw no point in staying in there to hamper his career."

Franz Beckenbauer, the football legend, said Schumacher's retirement was a `pity.'

``It's always too bad when such a great personality steps down,'' he said. — Agencies

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