Michael Schumacher will retire from race
driving at the end of the 2006 World Championship
Photo: Ferrari
Whatever the final result of this
year’s championship, Michael leaves Formula 1 olding almost all
the records. To date, he has taken seven Drivers’ world titles
and has contributed to the same number of team wins in the
Constructors’ Championship. He has taken part in 247 Formula 1
Grands Prix (178 of them at the wheel of a Ferrari,) won 90
(71,) been on pole 68 (58) times, setting 75 (52) fastest race
laps.
He has amassed a total of
1354 points, 1051 of them in a Maranello car. No one in
the world of motor racing has done better. Following his
decision, the only record that will elude him is the one
for the number of race starts. He will be able to reach
the 250 mark, just six short of the record held by
Riccardo Patrese. Schumacher has been with Scuderia
Ferrari for eleven seasons, a demonstration of loyalty
without equal in Formula 1, to date securing five of his
Drivers’ titles here and contributing to six of the
team’s Constructors’ titles.
No other driver has ever won as
much with the Scuderia. “I had always said that the decision to
retire would be his alone, but now that decision has been taken,
I feel a sense of sadness,” commented Ferrari President and CEO,
Luca di Montezemolo. “We have lived through some unforgettable
times together, some good some bad, achieving results that will
be hard to equal. To Michael goes the thanks of everyone in the
company and supporters of Ferrari for all the dedication he has
shown to our colours, for the determination and courage with
which he has worked, which has provided immense satisfaction.
He is both sincere and passionate and has
earned the affection of all of us and of our fans. His relationship with
Maranello will continue, albeit in a different form and I am very happy
about that.” “Michael has been the author of a unique chapter in the
history of Formula 1 and of Ferrari in particular. It has yet to reach
its conclusion and what he has achieved extends over and above the
results obtained,” added Managing Director, Jean Todt. “He is an
exceptional man and will become a legend as a driver. For me personally,
he is a great friend and together we have lived through unrepeatable
experiences.
Having had the opportunity to work
alongside him has been and will continue to be a privilege.”
“Words are not enough and whatever I could say now will never
fully express how much I love this fascinating world of motor
sport and all it has given me,” said Michael Schumacher. “From
go-karting to Formula 1, I have lived through moments that I
will never forget. I am profoundly grateful for everything I
have had. I want to thank everyone who has accompanied me,
supported and inspired me, right back to the days of my
childhood.
Above all, a special thanks goes to
Corinna and our two children, who have given me the strength to do what
I have done. All these years in Formula 1 have been amazing, especially
those spent alongside my friends in the Scuderia. Soon my future will
belong to my family, while I am happy to be still part of Ferrari. But
for now, what matters is this world championship.”
At the end of the year, as is traditional,
we will announce the new team organisation, which will also include a
definition of Michael’s new role.
