The curtain falls on the GREATEST Formula1 driver EVER

And it finally came. Michael Schumacher will be retiring after the end of the 2006 season...



After winning an incredible race at Monza in front of thousands and thousands ot tifosi, MSC announced that this race would be his last at Monza, he would leave F1 after the remaining three races. He started off by apologising to his fans about the delay. He described his career, thanked Ferrari, his race crew and engineers, his dad, his late mother, and most importantly, his family - his wife and kids. He also spoke about being very happy about his replacement, but never mentioned his name. He also clarified that the announcement had to come now because Felipe Massa, whom MSC described as a 'great guy and team-mate' had to decide his future, which he could not do without MSC's decision.

There were no tears, no exaggerated emotions, no melodrama. It was MSC being totally forthright touching the chords of millions all around, his fans, and his detractors. It was in this very simple fashion that the curtain has fallen on the greatest Formula1 driver ever.

Yes, the greatest Formula1 driver ever. Yes, better than anyone in this era. Yes, better than anyone in any area. I can hardly stake claim to be a huge MSC fan, I started watching F1 barely 3 years ago, when MSC was already twice as good as anyone in the field. I, sadly, missed the time when he was a mere rookie, but had the greats of that time cowering in fear - messrs Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill, amongst others.

Starting out in 1991 in a pathetic Jordan, MSC stamped his authority right in that year qualifying 7th in his debut race at the Spa. In the next year, he finished 3rd in the championship in a far from perfect Benetton, no mean feat for a mere rookie. In 3 years after joining, in 1994, MSC won the first on his seven WDCs with Benetton. After that he won with Benetton in the succeding year, and then with Ferrari in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. His worst finish in all these years has been in 5th in 1999, which was right before his run of 5 straight WDC's.

As a driver, MSC has always been characterised by a killer instinct, steely nerve, absolute focus and a will to stop at nothing to achieve what he must. This is reflected in the "infamous" incidents which are routinely quoted to undermine MSC - be it the Damon Hill incident of '94, the Villeneuve incident of '97, the team orders incident of '02 or the Monaco incident of '06. No, he isn't a cheat, it is just his evil genuis at play. Pray tell me, how can a cheat win 7 WDCs and win the admiration of countless fans across the globe?

Imagine a man who had to tolerate "pundits" declaring him an also-ran because a new-kid-on-the-block with a better car was doing better than him. Imagine a man who holds more than half of all records in F1 having to listen to these people who couldn't even get an F1 car started, let alone race, let alone win. The cycle then repeats in 2006, all hail Alonso, MSC is just too old, he no longer has the fire to win. Suddenly, the genius awakens, and when he does, you can't speak, you can neither appreciate nor criticise, you can just stare in open-mouthed awe, thank God for giving you a chance to be looking at what unfolds in front of your eyes.

MSC is now 2 points adrift of FA, Ferrari now lead the constructors' championship by 3 points.

Love him, hate him. There are still 3 races to go. Savour it while you still can. F1 will never be the same again...

Must watch: http://youtube.com/watch?v=AM0OgnWSZrA
Michael Schumacher Goodbye video by his greatest fan ever - Arun Retro-Virus



Michael Schumacher Factfile:

Starts: 247
Victories: 90 (record)
Poles: 69 (record)
Podiums: 138 (record)
Maximum wins in a season: 13 with Ferrari in 2004 (record)
Championship points: 1344 (record)
Triples: 22 (record)

Sources:
http://www.sportinglife.com/clients/planetf1/formula1/drivers/mschumacher.insdat
http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/06/09/10/AUTO_Schumacher_Best_and_worst.html