Schumacher to retire from Formula 1 at end of season

ARGINITE

Sad to see him go, again.

Link

Myrddin

Bollox

Andrew76

That sucks.

Disappointed he never won a race during the comeback.

ARGINITE

Andrew76 wrote: »

Disappointed he never won a race during the comeback.

It's a shame he hasn't won one yet, but with six races left to go he might pull something out of the bag.

Myrddin

ARGINITE wrote: »

It's a shame he hasn't won one yet, but with six races left to go he might pull something out of the bag.

Nah, unless this flexi wing lark suddenly demotes RB, McLaren & Ferarri severely, the Merc just isn't up to it

ARGINITE

EnterNow wrote: »

Nah, unless this flexi wing lark suddenly demotes RB, McLaren & Ferarri severely, the Merc just isn't up to it

The last six races could all be wet races

Myrddin

ARGINITE wrote: »

The last six races could all be wet races

Aye, but its not only weather Schumi has to contend with...the amount of car failure/DNF's this season has been diabolical.

Andrew76

ARGINITE wrote: »

It's a shame he hasn't won one yet, but with six races left to go he might pull something out of the bag.

Would be nice for sure. Maybe a battle with Hamilton in the last race, Schumi takes the win, Hamilton second and Alonso nabs the title. That would be nice.

ARGINITE

EnterNow wrote: »

Aye, but its not only weather Schumi has to contend with...the amount of car failure/DNF's this season has been diabolical.

The car he had under him in '96 was pretty rubbish but he still managed the odd win, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for a repeat of something similar to the Spanish Grand Prix from that year.

Myrddin

ARGINITE wrote: »

The car he had under him in '96 was pretty rubbish but he still managed the odd win, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for a repeat of something similar to the Spanish Grand Prix from that year.

Yeah but that didn't have the red bulls to contend with I'm all for a Schumacher win, but I think there's more chance of Vettel not showing the finger after a win than there is of Schumacher winning

Andrew76

ARGINITE wrote: »

The car he had under him in '96 was pretty rubbish but he still managed the odd win, I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for a repeat of something similar to the Spanish Grand Prix from that year.

Being realistic the Schumi of 2012 is nowhere near as good as the Schumi of '96 - '96 he showed how good he really was dragging wins out of a duff car, and in the rain how much better he was than anyone else.

Without other car retirements or a lucky strategy in rainy conditions, I don't think he can drag the Merc to a win.

the culture of deference

EnterNow wrote: »

Bollox

Bollox

antodeco

I'm just glad I got to see him in the podium at Valencia this year. I can always say I was there at his final podium position (but I'd be happier if he won a race before the end of the season)

iDave

Shouldnt of come back imo. He'll look back on this return and regret it, if he hasnt already.

Ares

A disastrous comeback, he should never have set foot in a car once he passed 40.

Outclassed by Rosberg over the three years. Had the odd flash of brilliance, Monaco qualifying, vs Hamilton at Monza in 2011 but overall he has done poorly and its good that he bows out now instead of racing for a poor outfit.

It'll taint his legacy a bit but he's still a 7 time champ. He just should never have come back in the first place.

Spudman_20000

It was great to see him comeback. The amount of people I know that starting following F1 again after his comeback was unreal.

No doubt it has been disappointing results-wise, most of which people would agree is down to the car, but the sport was always more interesting with Schumi in it.

He should never have retired in 2006. Hope he finishes out this year with some good results and leaves the sport healthy.

One of the greatest drivers there's ever been and an example of how to be a consummate professional for any sport.

freestyla

Finally!

I was glad to see him on a podium this year but good he is off now and left a place for a new young talent.

Myrddin

Doesn't say much for the other 23 drivers that a middle aged man who has 'lost it' stuck an F1 car around Monaco quicker than any of them

cocalolaman

Ares wrote: »

Outclassed by Rosberg over the three years.

feckin' hardly.

Ghost Train

Pity. Has been a poor year but he still had speed around Monaco and one or two other races he showed he still had the pace. Car hasn't been the best, but Rosberg has had the better of him so probably not a bad time to call it quits.

Ares

cocalolaman wrote: »

feckin' hardly.

Yeah really.

Rosberg finished ahead of Schumi every single year.

Rosberg one a race in the three years, Schumi didn't.

Rosberg has 5 podiums including a win, a second and three thirds, Schumi has 1, a third.

Rosberg has finished in the top six 24 times over the 3 years, Schumi did this 14 times.

Rosberg has been far and away the superior driver over the three years. The lack of credit he gets is shocking. Schumi walked into the team to much fanfare and Rosberg quietly went about putting him back in his box.

The comeback failed dramatically and frankly it was a waste to see him the last three years. What was the point ultimately?

De Hipster

I blame Bernie - boo-hiss...

StephenHendry

sad to schumi retire again. i was hoping he might go to sauber or williams for 2013 but delighted he did come back for another go with merc, especially with ross brawn giving him the opportunity. a shame he has only one podium on his comeback but he might get another one before he goes this time. i hope he still is involved in F1 in some way for the future, good luck schumi

Goldstein

Such a shame the dodgy Mercedes never delivered on its promise and was never a real contender. Sure he made a few widely publicised and sensationalised errors but ultimately the team & designers let him down. Would have loved to have seen what he could have done with a Red Bull, Lotus, McLaren or Ferrari.

Myrddin

You just fukcing know that Merc is gonna be competitive next year don't you :(

Jordan 199

StephenHendry wrote: »

a shame he has only one podium on his comeback but he might get another one before he goes this time. i hope he still is involved in F1 in some way for the future, good luck schumi

Would love to see him on the podium for the last race of the season in Brazil.

Myrddin

Unfortunately its far more likely some clown will wipe Schumi out at the first corner of his last race...Coulthard style

Jordan 199

EnterNow wrote: »

Unfortunately its far more likely some clown will wipe Schumi out at the first corner of his last race...Coulthard style

Yeah. It's going to be strange not seeing Schumi on the grid next year.

lee_baby_simms

His comeback was a letdown but I would mainly attribute that to Mercedes just not delivering a competitive package. Reliability has been diabolical this season. While he definitely isn't the driver he was at his peak I think he has by no means disgraced himself.

As for people saying he never should have come back - why not?! If he wants to race let him race. It's great for fans. I'll miss him.

Now you'll have the British anti German aul codgers like Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart saying he should have never come back, tainted legacy etc. Oh **** off.

Ares wrote: »

Yeah really.

Rosberg finished ahead of Schumi every single year.

Rosberg one a race in the three years, Schumi didn't.

Rosberg has 5 podiums including a win, a second and three thirds, Schumi has 1, a third.

Rosberg has finished in the top six 24 times over the 3 years, Schumi did this 14 times.

Rosberg has been far and away the superior driver over the three years. The lack of credit he gets is shocking. Schumi walked into the team to much fanfare and Rosberg quietly went about putting him back in his box.

The comeback failed dramatically and frankly it was a waste to see him the last three years. What was the point ultimately?

Axe to grind?

Your points don't quite tell the full story. Schumachers race/quali pace has been quicker than Rosberg for the majority of this season. Yes he has made two costly errors but he has also had a half dozen mechanical failures.

Myrddin

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

Now you'll have the British anti German aul codgers like Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart saying he should have never come back, tainted legacy etc. Oh **** off

Oh Jesus no, anything but another lecture from Jackie Stewart. What a pompus, know all tosser that man is

Rascasse

Yeah who would want to listen to Jackie? 3 time champion (retired as champion), former team owner and a man that helped transform F1 safety. What would he know about F1?

Schumacher shouldn't have returned. I guess some drivers don't know when to stop (Graham Hill is another example). All he's succeeded in tarnishing his reputation and at the end of the day all people can harp on about is pole in Monaco.

Never a fan of his after his antics in the 90's and frankly he showed that dangerous streak again when trying to put Rubens into the wall in Hungary.

Good for F1 too. So many quality drivers that can't get seats in F1 and this should give a young driver a chance.

(Award for unpopular opinion of the day headed my way)

Zascar

Am I the only one who really does not like Shumacher? I was delighted to see him go. Could not beleive he came back - he left on such a high that he'd be remembered forever as a true legend. Now he came abck and sort of embarrassed himself and just put a dampner on his previously incredible record.

Goldstein

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19834309

Jackie Stewart is a jealous old man trying to get a few column inches by throwing pebbles at a legend. A crass, bitter, distasteful individual with absolutely no class.

Let's see if anyone else on the grid can hand every other driver their asses round Monte Carlo when they're 43.

lee_baby_simms

Jackie Stewart didn't like Senna either who was another driver who won 3 or more world championships.

The brits don't like MSC. This is old news. Coulthard was always first to stick the boot into him whenever he made any kind of a mistake.

He was welling up in the press conference when he announced it. Guy loves to race which is why he came back in the first place. Just a shame he never really got the car for it these past 3 years.

Ares

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

Axe to grind?

Your points don't quite tell the full story. Schumachers race/quali pace has been quicker than Rosberg for the majority of this season. Yes he has made two costly errors but he has also had a half dozen mechanical failures.

Your right they don't. They don't show at all that Rosberg has far outperformed him every year. They are level on qualis so far this year and Rosberg beat Schumi 16-3 last season. I forgot that one.

He made some big errors, rear ending Senna and Vergne.

Trying to drive Rubens into a wall. Great stuff that was.

And also to those on bitching about Stirling Moss, he was pretty spot on when he said in 2010 that Schumi was past it. Because lets face it he was. He showed the odd flash of brilliance, much mediocrity and lots of errors. He should never have come back. No one can refute that he's been poor and that Rosberg has outclassed him completely.

Tox56

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

Jackie Stewart didn't like Senna either who was another driver who won 3 or more world championships.

The brits don't like MSC. This is old news. Coulthard was always first to stick the boot into him whenever he made any kind of a mistake.

The BBC website comments on the story would suggest otherwise.

Fantastic driver but it's a shame he didn't go out on top, probably a mistake to come back.

The Royal Scam

It was my dream to see him at a race in my lifetime. Was saving up to go somewhere next year. I'm bleedin gutted he is finishing up. I'm watching the reruns of Suzuka on BBC red button and I'm getting fierce emotional here...

De Hipster

Rascasse wrote: »

Yeah who would want to listen to Jackie? 3 time champion (retired as champion), former team owner and a man that helped transform F1 safety.

(Award for unpopular opinion of the day headed my way)

...you clearly haven't met the man! Stirling Moss is another condescending pillock. Not like they invented OR own the concept of motorsport - they appear however to think otherwise.

Andrew76

Rascasse wrote: »

Yeah who would want to listen to Jackie? 3 time champion (retired as champion), former team owner and a man that helped transform F1 safety. What would he know about F1?

Schumacher shouldn't have returned. I guess some drivers don't know when to stop (Graham Hill is another example). All he's succeeded in tarnishing his reputation and at the end of the day all people can harp on about is pole in Monaco.

Never a fan of his after his antics in the 90's and frankly he showed that dangerous streak again when trying to put Rubens into the wall in Hungary.

I'm guessing you were never a fan of Senna either, Schumi learned that "dangerous streak" from the master. Maldonado has done much worse with his deliberate driving into folk antics.

Rascasse wrote: »

Good for F1 too. So many quality drivers that can't get seats in F1 and this should give a young driver a chance.

Not sure his retirement will make any difference to young drivers getting a chance. Not unless Sauber take a punt on a rookie.

Not strictly directed at you but I don't understand the several comments about his comeback tarnishing/damping his legacy or embarrassing himself. His unsuccessful return takes nothing away from his achievements in his first career: 7 titles, 91 wins, 68 poles. Good luck to anyone getting close to that.

It's like saying because Ali fought on longer than he should have, it somehow takes away from his brilliance in his prime. Load of rubbish.

KenSwee

I do hope he continues to race although I suppose it will be unlikely. It would be great to see him drive a DTM or SP at Le Mans.
This day and age, Indycar is out of the question but one could dream.

Myrddin

Rascasse wrote: »

Yeah who would want to listen to Jackie? 3 time champion (retired as champion), former team owner and a man that helped transform F1 safety. What would he know about F1?

Schumacher shouldn't have returned. I guess some drivers don't know when to stop (Graham Hill is another example). All he's succeeded in tarnishing his reputation and at the end of the day all people can harp on about is pole in Monaco.

Never a fan of his after his antics in the 90's and frankly he showed that dangerous streak again when trying to put Rubens into the wall in Hungary.

Good for F1 too. So many quality drivers that can't get seats in F1 and this should give a young driver a chance.

(Award for unpopular opinion of the day headed my way)

I was gonna reply, but my good friend & colleague Goldstein said it better than I ever could. A bitter, crass, pompus, arrogant, dinosaur...

Goldstein wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19834309

Jackie Stewart is a jealous old man trying to get a few column inches by throwing pebbles at a legend. A crass, bitter, distasteful individual with absolutely no class.

Let's see if anyone else on the grid can hand every other driver their asses round Monte Carlo when they're 43.

Cool_CM

Quite strange when people say he shouldn't have come back, at the end of the day he's racing for himself and it's obviously something he likes doing. That and because of what he has achieved before he was in a position do do it on his terms.
He's statistically the greatest driver in F1 history. He's arguably the greatest F1 driver of all time in terms of success, skill and consistency. Hopefully we can see him on at least the podium one more time.

ratedR

I think history will remember MS for his first stint in F1 and the comeback will be mostly forgotten about in years to come.

Speaking of pompous gits, and I agree with the people who said Jackie Stewart and Sterling Moss are - No one really ever mentions Mansels come back for instance. (Wasnt his arse too big for the seat or something ?)
I know it's not quite the same, but 3 mediocre years compared to 16 World Class years, people will remember the good stuff.

lolie

At least mansell quit fairy quickly when he realised things weren't working out.
Whilst stewart had a point about the crashes in barcelona and singapore i would'nt agree with the rest of it.
If he believe's what he says then vettel should have quit in 2010 and lewis in 2011 considering all the incidents they had.

Cool_CM

ratedR wrote: »

I think history will remember MS for his first stint in F1 and the comeback will be mostly forgotten about in years to come.

Speaking of pompous gits, and I agree with the people who said Jackie Stewart and Sterling Moss are - No one really ever mentions Mansels come back for instance. (Wasnt his arse too big for the seat or something ?)
I know it's not quite the same, but 3 mediocre years compared to 16 World Class years, people will remember the good stuff.

On a side note in fairness to Mansell he won the Australian GP during his comeback, it may or may not have been as a result of some incident that occurred in which the two cars in front of him came into contact forcing them both to retire though.

youreadthis

EnterNow wrote: »

Doesn't say much for the other 23 drivers that a middle aged man who has 'lost it' stuck an F1 car around Monaco quicker than any of them

Yeah bro they are all so ****!

the culture of deference

iDave wrote: »

Shouldnt of come back imo. He'll look back on this return and regret it, if he hasnt already.

Ares wrote: »

A disastrous comeback, he should never have set foot in a car once he passed 40.

Outclassed by Rosberg over the three years. He just should never have come back in the first place.

Ghost Train wrote: »

Rosberg has had the better of him so probably not a bad time to call it quits.

Zascar wrote: »

Now he came abck and sort of embarrassed himself and just put a dampner on his previously incredible record.

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

Your points don't quite tell the full story. Schumachers race/quali pace has been quicker than Rosberg for the majority of this season. Yes he has made two costly errors but he has also had a half dozen mechanical failures.

To those of you are posting here saying MS return was terrible ... he should have never come back .....

MS results 2012

AUS:
Qualy 4th,
Race DNF. Reason: Gearbox failure WAS in 3rd place

MAL:
Qualy 3rd,
Race 10th, Reason: Spun by Grosjean Was in 3rd place

CHI:
Qualy 2nd,
Race DNF, Reason: Wheel Not fitted correctly, wheel fell off after pit stop. A definite 2nd place, maybe could have challenged NR.

BAH:
Qualy 23,
Race 10th, Reason: Faulty DRS, gearbox change penalty

SPA:
Qualy 8th,
Race DNF, Reason:Hit Senna Racing accident

Monaco PENALTY

MON:
Qualy: Pole,
race DNF, Reason: Grid penalty, hit by Grosjean at start, FUEL failure

CAN
Qualy: 9 (miscalculation from team no second flying lap,
race DNF reason. DRS stuck open

EUR
Qualy: 12th
race 3rd. Very lucky PODIUM (deserved) oldest driver since 1970

GB
Qualy: 3rd in wet,
race 7th

GER
Qualy: 3rd in wet,
race 7th (77th fastest race lap )

HUN
Qualy: 17th (Maldonado ran wide in front of MS on qualy lap),
Race: DNF Gearbox failure (classed race 24th)
Aborted start, overheating engine on the grid, pit lane start, puncture, drive through penalty

BEL 300th race.
Qualy 13th (NR 17th) (Vettel 11th)
Race 7th was running 2nd (Merc tyres couldn't do planned 1 stop).

ITA
Qualy 4th
Race 6th. Good pace at the end, .4 second behind kimi, and 1.6 behind massa in 4th

Sing
Qualy 9th
Race .............. Crashes into JEV


In 2011 he was 76 to rosbergs 89.


In Spa he was on it. Fastest on friday. Got demoted to the back of the grid due to a wheel came loose in qualifying, and he finished ahead of Nico in 5th. He was also taken out by Perez, Petrov and knocked out of Oz gp by puncture damage. 5 retirements in all.



Lets just look at the actual breakdown of 2010


In 2010 he was rusty. Here's wiki

Bahrain Grand Prix. 6th

Australian Grand Prix Schumacher, after running as high as third on the opening lap, was caught up in a tangle between Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button at the start and had to pit for a new front wing. He came from the back to finish in the points in tenth position after spending 20 laps behind Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari.

In the Malaysian Grand Prix Schumacher retired early in the race with a faulty wheel nut.

Schumacher qualified 9th in the Chinese Grand Prix and finished 10th after being passed by several other drivers in the wet conditions towards the end of the race. ]

Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes upgraded their car with revised aerodynamics and a longer wheelbase. Schumacher was ahead of Rosberg in qualifying and the race finishing fourth

Monaco Grand Prix Schumacher qualified seventh and finished sixth after passing Ferrari's Fernando Alonso on the final corner of the race when the safety car returned to the pits. However he was penalised 20 seconds after the race by the race stewards dropping him to 12th

In Turkey, Schumacher had his best qualifying session since his return qualifying fifth ahead of team mate Rosberg in sixth. In the race Schumacher finished fourth

European Grand Prix in Valencia, Schumacher finished a lowly 15th – his lowest recorded finish in his career – after being caught up in a controversial safety-car ruling, which also ruined the race of Fernando

Alonso.[112] Schumacher was near the front of the field until he was stuck at the end of the pit lane, following the safety car, while the majority of the field passed him.

Hungary, Schumacher finished outside the points in eleventh, but was found guilty of dangerous driving at 180 mph (290 km/h) while unsuccessfully defending tenth position against Rubens Barrichello. DESERVED

Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished seventh, despite starting 21st after his grid penalty.

Italian Grand Prix, Schumacher missed out on the top ten in qualifying but managed to finish ninth.

Singapore Grand Prix, Schumacher finished 13th after the Sauber of Nick Heidfeld collided with him on Lap 36,

Japanese Grand Prix, Schumacher finished sixth before a fourth and seventh in the next two races in Korea and Brazil.

Abu Dhabi, Schumacher was involved in a major accident on the first lap, which occurred after Schumacher was spun around by his teammate Nico Rosberg.

De Hipster

Seriously dude, that's some impressive facts grinding! If I ever need a solicitor or witness for the detail - I'll be in touch!

Ares

the culture of deference wrote: »

To those of you are posting here saying MS return was terrible ... he should have never come back .....

Schumi results, etc.

Still doesn't show how Schumi had a good comeback.

Last year 16-3 qualies for Rosberg.

Rosberg finished ahead of Schumi every single year.

Rosberg won a race in the three years, Schumi didn't.

Rosberg has 5 podiums including a win, a second and three thirds, Schumi has 1, a third.

Rosberg has finished in the top six 24 times over the 3 years, Schumi did this 14 times.

Rascasse

Andrew76 wrote: »

I'm guessing you were never a fan of Senna either, Schumi learned that "dangerous streak" from the master. Maldonado has done much worse with his deliberate driving into folk antics.

I was very much a fan of Senna. Not sure why you are bringing Maldonado into this, but please, give us a comparison of Senna V Schumacher V Maldonado and why they are comparable.

Andrew76 wrote: »

Not sure his retirement will make any difference to young drivers getting a chance. Not unless Sauber take a punt on a rookie.

Its simple maths really. Michael retiring means there will be another seat somewhere for a rookie. Unless, of course, a team brings in Rubens or Sutil. I didn't mention anything about Sauber.

Andrew76 wrote: »

Not strictly directed at you but I don't understand the several comments about his comeback tarnishing/damping his legacy or embarrassing himself. His unsuccessful return takes nothing away from his achievements in his first career: 7 titles, 91 wins, 68 poles. Good luck to anyone getting close to that.

It's like saying because Ali fought on longer than he should have, it somehow takes away from his brilliance in his prime. Load of rubbish.

You say you don't understand why his comeback would tarnish his legacy then follow it up with statistics. Now, as they will in the future, people will compare Michael against other drivers in history using the only way they know how - statistics. Driving another 60 races with no wins harms his win ratio therefore tarnishes his legacy.