Schumacher to Retire
The world’s most successful racing drive, Michael Schumacher has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2006
Formula One World Championship season.
Whatever the final result of this year's championship, Michael leaves Formula 1 holding 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 Grand Prix (178 of them at the wheel of a Ferrari,) won
90 (71 for Ferrari,) been on pole 68 (58 with Ferrari) times, setting 75 (52 in a Ferrari) 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, Ferrari will announce the new team organisation, which will also include the
details of Michael's new role.
ENDS