Who thinks Schumacher finally should retire?

**AndyL** · 3rd Oct 12, 11:46

Originally Posted by tfp

Theres no point in being reliable and making it to the finish if you dont finish in the top 10! No points=no point!

There's also no point crashing all the time - no finish = no points! Ultimately, points are the goal, and in that sense the championship standings don't lie: Massa 51, Schumacher 43.

Originally Posted by tfp

Id pick the shoe in a heart beat over Massa. But will the shoe want to go to Ferrari only to assist Fred? I wouldnt think so.

This is the sort of thing I meant by the potential to upset the equilibrium of the team. If Schumacher went to Ferrari, it wouldn't be to do play the same role Massa is playing. The potential to score a few more points is not worth the risk.

I think Zako made a good point - even if it's not in Ferrari's interest to replace Massa right now, it's in Massa's interest to leave.

**Firstgear** · 3rd Oct 12, 14:14

Ferrari had the chance to put MS back behind the wheel when Massa had his injury a few years ago. They didn't want him then - and they would want him even less now.

**rabf1** · 3rd Oct 12, 15:12

Evidently its MS's own fault that he is out at Merc because he wasn't willing to commit for next year soon enough (if you believe the press stories). If that is really the case, it sounds to me like he is done after this year. But as with some others, I would like to see him at Ferrari next year just to see if at his age he is still competitive with Alonso.

**The Black Knight** · 3rd Oct 12, 18:39

Originally Posted by Firstgear

Ferrari had the chance to put MS back behind the wheel when Massa had his injury a few years ago. They didn't want him then - and they would want him even less now.

Unfortunately this sort of misinformation is the cause of many untrue rumours about a driver. Luca asked Schuey to come back. He chose not to because of his neck and probably he realised that a lack of testing would hurt him. Luca was very disappointed that he signed for Mercedes. This is not the sign of some that was unwilling to have him back. Remember he asked Schumi not the other way around.

**Knock-on** · 4th Oct 12, 08:54

Well, he's retiring again.

**Dave B** · 4th Oct 12, 09:15

BBC Sport - Michael Schumacher announces retirement from Formula 1

End of an era. Again....

**F1boat** · 4th Oct 12, 09:24

A hard decision, but it was the right decision...

**Dave B** · 4th Oct 12, 10:00

Adam Cooper's blog has more from Schumacher's statement:

Schumacher retires for a second time | Adam Cooper's F1 Blog

**ArrowsFA1** · 4th Oct 12, 13:31

Originally Posted by Knock-on

Well, he's retiring again.

And he says "This time it might even be forever."

**driveace** · 4th Oct 12, 17:42

So his wife will be happy,he will find it hard sever all ties,as Nicky Lauda does .So he will be around ,Mark my words .And after reading the other posts,I thought,he thought that he could kick some of todays top drivers up the ass,BUT they were better and faster than he thought !

**zako85** · 4th Oct 12, 20:33

Originally Posted by Dave B

BBC Sport - Michael Schumacher announces retirement from Formula 1

End of an era. Again....

A small footnote to this is that Rubens Barrichello will hang onto his longetivity records.

Most GP entries (according to wikipedia):

1. Barrichello 326
2. Schumacher 302

Most GP starts:

1. Barrichello 322
2. Schumacher 301

**Eunos** · 4th Oct 12, 22:37

See you again in 2016 Schumacher ;D

**Garry Walker** · 6th Oct 12, 07:43

Well, nothing any of us can do against aging. The fact that at 43 years old he took pole at Monaco and was generally faster than his teammate who is in his prime in 2012 says a lot. But obviously he was nowhere near the level he was 10 years ago.
He had his idiotic mistakes as well this (Barcelona and Singapore), but it is not like he is the only driver to make stupid mistakes this year.
A loss to F1.

**i_max2k2** · 6th Oct 12, 11:50

I agree we saw his racecraft whenever there was an opportunity Monza 11, Canada 11, Valencia 12, and I truly think this would have gone a lot different had he been in a faster car. I enjoyed it, he showed plenty times why he was a 7 times world champion.

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**markabilly** · 6th Oct 12, 18:16

Schuie was different than many of the current breed. I think he just likes to go fast and compete, even without pay....hence the bike racing.

I think that he will miss it and sooner or later do some racing...but where?

**markabilly** · 6th Oct 12, 18:18

Originally Posted by Garry Walker

Well, nothing any of us can do against aging. The fact that at 43 years old he took pole at Monaco and was generally faster than his teammate who is in his prime in 2012 says a lot. But obviously he was nowhere near the level he was 10 years ago.
He had his idiotic mistakes as well this (Barcelona and Singapore), but it is not like he is the only driver to make stupid mistakes this year.
A loss to F1.

I am still waiting for him to go down the pit lane and crash into the rear of some cars that are stopped at a red light........like a certain driver once did

**steveaki13** · 6th Oct 12, 19:00

It is strange. I have heard so many people this last week saying how his aging is causing all these incidents, but when Hammy or Seb makes a mistake people dont say well he is 26 you know.

I dont really see this as accurate.

People say he never made these mistakes years ago, but he was often at the front and those races from Ferrari & Benetton days where he was mid pack. I often remember him having incidents.

France in 92 or 93? Cant quite remember he crashed twice at the starts and took out Senna.
Monaco 96 Hit the wall on lap 1.
Germany 2000. Run into Fisichella at the start.
Suzuka 2003 when he had to finish 8th to score just a one point for the title. He hit Sato and others
to creep home a terrible race for 8th.

So he always has been capable of mistakes. so thats nonsense. Also he is slower because the car is not great. But for 2 or 3 mechanical failures he has matched and beaten Rosberg many times.

I think all in all he is obviously not quite at the same level (who can be at 43 as compared to 25.). However I dont see this massive decline. I see a driver who is pushing hard to make up for a less than brilliant car and a man alot of drivers find it difficult to pass.

He was brilliant in his first career and has been great in these past 3 seasons. I have enjoyed watching the old master again.

Some people i have seen interviewed say it makes them sad to see him now. (Dont know whatthat says about Nico who he has beaten a fair few times?)

I think thats patronising and I have loved seeing a legend at work again and it hasn't deminished my respect for him or what he has done in F1.

**steveaki13** · 6th Oct 12, 21:20

Slight edit. I said 2000 he ran into Fisichella, but of course he was hit by or cut across Fisi. So discount that.

**The Black Knight** · 6th Oct 12, 22:35

Schumi outqualified Rosberg again in this race. That's 9-6 to the Maestro. He has really come on this year and I think it's a shame that the legend is retiring again this year. I'd love to have seen him for two more years as I think he could be champion again. He is getting better and better the entire time. I just hope he wins a race before the end of the season, I really, really do. He deserves it. I also agree with aki13 in his assessment, he hasn't really done all that badly. Drivers run into the back of other drivers, **** happens. It's just because Schuey was so infallible in his first career that this is being highlighted now.

**ArrowsFA1** · 7th Oct 12, 06:09

Originally Posted by i_max2k2

I agree we saw his racecraft whenever there was an opportunity Monza 11, Canada 11, Valencia 12, and I truly think this would have gone a lot different had he been in a faster car. I enjoyed it, he showed plenty times why he was a 7 times world champion.

Agreed. At times we saw flashes of who he had been i.e. a multiple WDC, and we also saw a more relaxed, open character.

A good time to retire.