Schumi honoured at FIA Awards gala

Michael Schumacher was presented with a special FIA Gold Medal at the governing body's Awards Ceremony in Monaco last night for his contribution to motor racing.

The seven-times world champion was clearly delighted at being handed the honour by FIA president Max Mosley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone at the very end of the evening in the Salle des Etoiles at the Monaco Sporting Club.

"I have received a huge amount of joy and pleasure from motor sport," said Schumacher. "To all of you and all of the people everywhere I really want to express my thanks. I have had such a love for this sport.

"It doesn't need motivation. You do it as good as you can and luckily I have a lot of great people around me who have allowed me to achieve what we have achieved together."

Mosley added: "It's a career that has never been equalled in the past and probably never will be in the future. In addition to his extraordinary achievements on the track I have to say Michael has helped us enormously with all sorts of work on road safety all over the world."

Bernie Ecclestone paid tribute to Schumacher's character off track, as well as his achievements on it. "All sports need a superstar and Michael is a superstar," he said.

"Michael's achievements speak for themselves so I don't really need to say anything more about them. But what they don't say is what a lovely guy Michael is and he is supported by a really lovely family. He's a lucky guy and I wish him all the best in the future."

Schumi gets his biggest trophy

Michael Schumacher may have collected hundreds of trophies from his long and successful Formula One career, but now he has one that's actually bigger than Jean Todt.

Ferrari gave the seven times world champion a unique Christmas present last week, when Schumacher was presented a 1.60-metres tall steel cup, in recognition of all his achievements for the Italian outfit.

In the company of 1,000 employees - including departing technical director Ross Brawn and engine guru Paolo Martinelli, chief executive Jean Todt and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo - Schumacher received the 200-kilo monster, which has the dates of all his 72 GP wins with the scuderia inscribed on it.

"I'm touched and honoured," Schumacher told the crowd. "These eleven years [with Ferrari] have been really special, and it's thanks to you that I won all that's written on this cup."

His teammate in 2006 Felipe Massa was not left empty-handed, although his Christmas gift was significantly smaller.

The Brazilian was given a small sculpture to commemorate his two Grand Prix wins this season, displaying the number 1 twice - one in Turkish colours and the other in Brazilian colours.

And to sum up the event, president di Montezemolo had one message for the cheering crowd: "A golden era ends, now a new one starts. The objectives are clear."

Schumi awarded citizenship of Maranello

Since this evening, Maranello has a seven times Formula 1 champion amongst its citizens: Michael Schumacher has been awarded the honorary citizenship of the commune of Emilia-Romagna. The reason given was that with his extraordinary history at Ferrari, he was an accompaniment to one of the most important parts in the history of the commune of Maranello. The auditorium "Enzo Ferrari" was not big enough to hold all of the people who wanted to be close to Michael. In front of the theatre there was a video wall where people outside could follow the ceremony. Under the presence of President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice-President Piero Ferrari, CEO Jean Todt and General-Director Amedeo Felisa, an obviously moved Michael Schumacher said that he was touched by receiving the honorary citizenship of Maranello. Which five years ago had been awarded to the President. The official ceremony ended with the giving of the keys to the city by mayor Lucia Bursi and a miniature bell tower engraved with the most important dates of Schumacher's "red" career. As a nod to the tradition started by Maranello's priest Don Elio Belloi and continued by his successor Don Alberto Bernardoni, the bells of the tower rang, as they do after victories of the single-seaters from Maranello. Over the last 11 years the bells rang 72 times for Michael. Giancarlo Bertacchini, Scuderia Ferrari Club President of Maranello, handed over to Michael a small barrel of Aceto Balsamico, which signifies deep friendship in Emilia, while Giulio Corsari, President of the association of former F1 mechanics gave a leather-bound plaque with the engraving "Grazie Michael", as a perfect ending to the evening.

Michael's comments after Ferrari Finali

Sunday, October 29th: It was three in the afternoon as Michael passed the finish line at Monza for the last time in his Formula One Ferrari, and 45.000 tifosi celebrated him. The record-holding world champion was given a very warm welcome at the Finali Mondiali, Ferrari's traditional end-of-year party. "The fans were always supportive, especially during hard times, and that helped us all," Michael stated, noticing all the posters fans had brought for him. President Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari's Business manager Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher spoke at a press conference, which was also a goodbye event for Ross Brawn, and told us what their future plans were. "I'm looking forward to continuing working with Ferrari. The friendship within our team has always been very unique, so it's obvious that continuing along this path makes sense. We will take our time and find out what exactly I'll be doing.

I'll take on the role of some sort of an advisor, for instance in the area of development of the street cars or working with young drivers, but we haven't completely decided. First of all I'd like to take a break now. The last sixteen years of my life have been completely organized and planned out, so now I'd just like to go with the flow for a while. And after a while I'll know what I will be doing with Ferrari - it's going to be about what's important for Ferrari and how I can help them. Ferrari has always given me the freedom to take my time in deciding things, and that's how it's going to be this time as well. But I would like to thank everyone that has helped me to experience my amazing career." And at the circuit, to the fans, he said, "You are the best present that I've ever received. Without you, we couldn't have done it."

Michael thanks Brawn and Martinelli

Thursday, October 26th: Today it was announced that two of Michael's long-time colleagues will also be leaving the Scuderia Ferrari: Ross Brawn and Paolo Martinelli. So of course the record-holding Champion sends them his best wishes: "Thanks to and with Ross I was able to celebrate all my success in Formula One, so of course I want to thank him for that," Michael said about his technical director. "Due to his strong personality and his natural authority he was always very important for the team. He prepared the boys for everything, he showed them the direction in which it all was going. Ross will always be a special person for me." But also Paolo Martinelli was a very important man for Michael. "During the last six years of my career I had just two engine failures - that says basically everything about Paolos work, and I would like to stress the fact that we did not lose the Championship due to the engine failing at Suzuka. Quite the opposite: the reliability of the Ferrari engines was the basis of our success in recent years. I admire Paolo as a human being and wish him all the best for his further career." Brawn will take some family time while Martinelli will join Fiat.

Ferrari Finali 2006

Thoughts on Ferrari for 2007

A trio of former Grand Prix drivers are split on whether they think Ferrari can shine in the post-Schumacher era.

Marc Surer, who contested 87 Formula One races in the 80s, observed that seven time world champion Michael Schumacher's successor - Kimi Raikkonen - is not renowned for his skills in developing a car.

"I think Kimi needs a ready-made team," the Swiss told German-language newspaper Motorsport Aktuell, "but if he gets his hands on a fast Ferrari then he can win races and championships."

The German veteran of 74 Grand Prix in the 70s, meanwhile - Hans-Joachim Stuck - said Kimi's new tenure will be a 'hard test' for the Finn, with Maranello based Ferrari also losing long time technical director Ross Brawn.


Driver of 36 races in the 80s, Christian Danner, added: "I am convinced that the unbeatable Ferrari of Schumacher's day is gone."

Current Toyota racer Jarno Trulli, however, predicted good times for Raikkonen in 2007, observing that 'even Massa can win with the current Ferrari'.

"I don't think the departure of Schumacher or Brawn will change much," the 32-year-old Italian told sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Where I buy my Ferrari Diecast Models

http://gpmini.qc.ca/

Schumi to be Todt's Assistant

At the 2006 Ferrari World Finals at Monza Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt announced the German's plans for the future. Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will scout for young talented drivers for the Italian team.

"Michael (Schumacher) has always been interested to follow some of the young drivers," said Ferrari F1 team boss Jean Todt in Monza today. "Actually, I have one of those young talents here next to me. I remember very well when Michael came to me and talked about Felipe when he was racing in a lower series. He also talked to me about Raikkonen before he entered F1 with Sauber so I believe he has a good eye for young talent. He can become important for Ferrari when it comes to choosing our future drivers."

Apart from helping the team with searching new young talents in lower series Schumacher will also remain involved with the development of Ferrari's road cars. "Michael will continue his involvement in developing our road cars too in the upcoming years."

Schumacher is glad he can remain involved with Ferrari in the future. Speaking at Monza he said: "I am glad Ferrari will give me this chance to stay involved with the team. The team will give me the freedom of what I will have to do. They don't expect me to be at my desk at any time for example. I believe it is a unique opportunity for me, but I will first need a few months off to clear up my mind and then we'll be getting back to work."

Grazie Michael !!!

Schumi receives an island as a gift

Michael Schumacher received an unique and unprecedented parting gift after his last grand prix in Brazil - an island.
Dubai's crown prince - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - reportedly decided to give the retiring German a piece of the man-made island paradise The World. located off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
The World is 300 islands clustered together in a nine kilometre zone to resemble Earth from an aerial photo.
Schumacher's island, apparently part of "Antarctica" on the artificial globe, is worth about $7 million.
Schumacher's manager Willi Weber confirmed: "In a couple of years it will be finished. Then Michael and Corinna will have their own holiday island!
"Perhaps he will build a kart track on it."

Grazie Michael

Thank You Michael !

Thank you Michael for 15 years of magic, F1 will never be the same without you! You are in every way everything Formula 1 is about.

Massa Wins, Schumi Shines in last race despite bad luck

Felipe Massa dominated the Brazilian Grand Prix to take an emotional home victory, the first for a Brazilian on home soil since the late Ayrton Senna won in 1993. Fernando Alonso took the chequered flag in second position and clinched his second straight title while Renault wrapped up the constructors’ championship.

It was a thrilling conclusion to the year with Michael Schumacher putting in a stunning final drive to work his way back from flat last following a left rear cut tyre, to a fighting fourth position less than five seconds behind Jenson Button who also put in a fine drive for Honda.

It was a dramatic finale but out front, Massa dominated his home event from Pole Position and Schumacher aside, no one else could have beaten him to the victory today.

Fourth position for Michael Schumacher does not tell the take of his final Grand Prix. Starting tenth Schumacher was quickly up with Fisichella in sixth position. A daring pass around the outside into turn one and suddenly the Ferrari jinked as the left rear Bridgestone deflated.

Schumacher made it back to the pits and with a fresh set of tyres was soon back underway in 17th position a full 20s behind next man Tiago Monteiro. The fastest man lap after lap Schumacher left his second and final stop until late in the race and exited the pits for the final time ahead of Pedro de la Rosa who would go on to finish eighth.

Schumacher made short work of former Ferrari team-mate and then homed in on Fisichella once again. The Renault driver held Schumacher back for some time but finally the Italian made a mistake as he locked his front left wheel on the approach to turn one and ran wide. Next Schumacher homed in on Raikkonen and again fought hard to gain the position with a handful of laps remaining. Schumacher would set the fastest lap on his penultimate tour and take the chequered flag five seconds behind Button.

Back at the front and a well-deserved win from Felipe Massa who maintains his third place in the championship ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella. A great final race in what was a great season and a stunning career from Michael Schumacher. Roll on 2007...

Schumi calm despite last race of his career

Michael Schumacher was the calmest man in town here on Thursday when he faced his final pre-race news conference before the end of the most successful career in Formula One history.

As a typical media scrum descended on the Hotel Trans-America, close to both the Interlagos race circuit which hosts Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix and the Morumbi graveyard in which Ayrton Senna is buried, the seven-time drivers' World Champion was the embodiment of cool behaviour.

Questions flew, cameras clicked, pens scribbled and microphones twitched towards him, but the 37-year-old German, who is heading into retirement after winning 91 of his 248 Grand Prix and claiming 68 pole positions, and delivering five drivers' titles for Ferrari and two for Benetton, barely moved a muscle.

Schumacher has always been a supreme example of Teutonic reliability, supreme athleticism, great fitness and concentrated effort and a certain 'hauteur' that comes with his knowledge that he is a born winner.

So another room, full of reporters and admirers, in one of Latin America's biggest cities far away from the wet Ardennes circuit at Spa in Belgium where his career began 15 years ago, was no great concern. After all, at this stage of his career, with one race remaining, he knows what he has achieved and what he kind of miracle he needs if he is to defy the odds, and a ten-point deficit, and claim an unprecedented eighth world title.

Asked if he felt emotional now he had arrived on the threshold of the last race of his great career, he said: "I am not thinking so much about it. Occasionally it comes up and you feel a bit strange about it, but in general I am pretty relaxed and it is pretty much business as usual so far."

Pressed further to say that he is treating this Brazilian Grand Prix like any other race, he admitted: "Well, yes, until now. But we will see if it changes!"

Schumacher reiterated that his retirement decision was final and not likely to be followed by a u-turn. "My decision has been taken, so there is no reason to change that decision. What is going to be my life afterwards? I don't know. I have said many times that I don't feel like I should know."

He added: "I am in a fortunate position that I can retire and don't have to have a vision for my life afterwards. I have plenty of time to make my vision, to live a life where something will come up that will interest me."

"First of all, there was a Ferrari without Schumacher and there will be a Ferrari without me," he said.

He is also trying not to think too much about achieving what seems the impossible on Sunday - he needs to win and see rival Fernando Alonso fail to score a point.

"I am not coming here to think too much about my own title (challenge)," he said. "I'm coming here for the constructors' title. I expressed after the Suzuka race that the title fight for the drivers' championship is finished. I don't want to build up my hopes on someone retiring. So I am here to do a good race and try to win the race.

"From our point of view we can only do the maximum job to be one and two at the end of the race and then we have to see what the others do, and if that is enough for us to win the constructors' championship or not."

Finally, Schumacher was asked, what was he going to miss when he leaves Formula One? "You have to see things as a total," he replied. "In general, I have had a good life here, as well as you guys. There is nothing to regret."

Then it was over. No tears, no melodramas. In all probability, Schumacher will give further news conferences on Saturday and Sunday if he is among the top three in qualifying and then the race. But, if not, that may have been the last public statement by the greatest race-winner in the history of Formula One motor racing.

Farewell party planned for Schumi's home town

When Michael Schumacher drives his 250th and final Grand Prix on Sunday, 750 fans will gather in the star's small hometown of Krepen, to celebrate his 16-year career. The town, near Cologne, already has a street named after him and plans its first 'Schumi' day in November.

The party will take place in the town hall and feature live music from band Seven Season. Regardless of the result at Interlagos, the town will give its hero a proper farewell party in honour of the man they say put the town on the map.

"Michael is a Kerpen kid and has been a brilliant representative of our town," the town-mayor Marlies Siegberg told RTL. "Schumi has made us world famous."

248 F1 and Statue For Schumi

Michael Schumacher can keep the Brazil-spec single-seater - the 248 F1 - that he will race for the last time in his sixteen year career at Interlagos this Sunday, according to Luca di Montezemolo. "I cannot think of a better parting gift for him," the Ferrari President is quoted as saying by AZ.

Schumacher can also expect a fitting send-off by staff at the 'Montana' restaurant, which is located next to Ferrari's Fiorano test circuit. Express reports that restaurant staff intend to collect money to commission a bronze statue of the multiple world champion.

Schumacher, however, is believed to have rejected the offer for a monument to be erected in his honour near his kart track, on the basis that statues should be reserved for dead people.

Ferrari solve case of mystery engine failure

Ferrari has now determined the cause of Michael Schumacher's championship-denting engine failure at Suzuka.

It is understood that the German rarely smoked to a halt in Japan due to a failed intake valve.

Engineers at the Maranello based squad, however, have put the failure down to an isolated materials defect, meaning that a significant change or remedy in Brazil is unlikely.

Felipe Massa's pre-race engine glitch in Shanghai is also believed to have involved a damaged valve, but it was apparently a different failure.

Ferrari sources, meanwhile, ruled out the theory that Schumacher's final pit stop at Suzuka - including overheating - could be linked to his failure.

Ferrari crack 20,000 RPM

Ferrari, with Michael Schumacher at the wheel, cracked the elusive 20,000 RPM barrier with its Brazil-only engine specification whilst testing at Jerez last week.

Cosworth and Honda are believed to have also surpassed the impressive figure at one time or another, but - in pursuit of the constructors' championship and a final Grand Prix win for the retiring German racer - the red team reportedly intend to regularly run the V8 past 20,000 revs in Sao Paulo this weekend.

"Because their engine must only last for one race, I can imagine that 20,000 is a realistic figure," Toyota's former engine boss, Norbert Kreyer, said.

Spain's Marca newspaper, meanwhile, applauded Schumacher after he dominated proceedings last week in testing at Jerez.

"It is a good job for Alonso that the championship is basically decided," the newspaper wrote, "because if it was not, every alarm bell at Renault would now be ringing."

Michael is not blaming anyone

Sunday, October 8th 2006: “Our team is great. These lads are the best. So all that can be said after a race like today's is: there is no-one to blame. The engine just gave out suddenly and everything went up in smoke - among other things our hopes of winning the drivers' championship. That is pretty much decided upon now. But that's the way it goes in racing, things like this can happen. It's part of the sport and a part of life. All I can say is that I'm extremely proud of this team. The way we fought back in the championship after being 25 points behind after Canada was amazing. But it wasn't meant to be. We did everything right, because when the engine blew up we were first in the field.

To hope that Fernando will have to retire during the Brazil race is not something that I will base my race on. I don't want to hope that an opponent will have to retire, I want to fight for the championship. And that's exactly what we will do in Brazil now, we'll fight for the constructors' championship. We are nine points behind in that right now, but we'll see. We'll definitely try to do it."

Nightmare In Japan

Alonso took a championship stranglehold fighting up from fifth on the grid to take victory in the Japanese Grand Prix from Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella. Under pressure from Alonso, Schumi suffered his first engine failure since 2001 and slips ten points behind in the championship. Alonso needs just a single point in Brazil to be sure of his second drivers' crown. Schumi's only chance of winning his 8th title will happen if he wins in Brazil and Alonso finishes out of the points. Ferrari are now 9 pts behind in the constructor's battle.

Pele to honour Schumacher Finale

Football legend Pele will this month help to mark Michael Schumacher's last ever Grand Prix, to be staged in Sao Paulo.

Pele, the Brazilian 65-year-old who some regard as the greatest ever soccer player, will reportedly present Ferrari's retiring Schumacher in the Brazilian city with a trophy to mark his F1 exit.

37-year-old Schumacher's seven world crowns and more than 90 wins have been compared to Pele's tally of 1281 career goals.

But Pele is nonetheless a Schumacher fan.


"This is a big honour for me," he reportedly said.

Schumi's Shanghai Shindig

F1's retiring Chinese Grand Prix winner and new championship leader Michael Schumacher threw a huge party after his Shanghai win, according to Bild-Zeitung.

The popular German newspaper said Ferrari's 37-year-old star - albeit sticking to coca-cola - partied until six in the morning in the city's Marriott hotel.

The party was reportedly also attended by 2007 Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, Schumacher's current team-mate Felipe Massa, Renault rival Giancarlo Fisichella and personal press officer Sabine Kehm.


Predictably, championship rival Fernando Alonso was not spotted.

Amazing Win

Sunday, October 1st: "What a race! Honestly, I would never have expected that. This morning during the briefing the windows were open and it rained and rained outside and all of us thought: oh dear, what's gonna happen here... And then I won, that's amazing. I was quite surprised that I could keep up with the pace of the cars in front of me right from the start, we hadn't expected that. But then I started to close the gap bit by bit. It was important that we didn't switch tyres during the first pit-stop, that was a good decision on our part. And the second stop and the change to slicks was perfect, it had just started to be dry enough. When Fisico switched his and came back onto the track on slicks I knew that he would have some problems taking the first turn. Everybody more or less had some problems there because in the beginning the tyres are cold and there is not very much grip. I knew I had to seize the opportunity and I drove onto the grass a little bit to avoid a collision. It worked out great. It was a fantastic race and winning was fabulous because I hadn't expected to. Because I had gone into the race thinking all I could do was try and keep the damage to a minimum..."

Schumi takes championship lead in China

Michael Schumacher scooped his seventh win of the season, his first points in the Chinese Grand Prix ever, and crucially the lead in the drivers' championship in a completely unpredictable Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai. Alonso and he are now tied at 116 pts with 2 races to go. It was schumi's 91st victory.

Byrne To Stay On

Ferrari's former chief designer Rory Byrne is reportedly set to stay at the team for a further two years in a consultancy role.

UK magazine Autosport report, Byrne, who was an important part of the design team that helped Michael Schumacher to all five of his World titles with Ferrari, has agreed to remain with the Scuderia as a consultant until February 2009.

Meanwhile the report added that Jean Todt has also committed to Ferrari for a further season and will remain at the helm of the team for the 2007 campaign, thereby guiding Ferrari in its first post-Schumacher era, while see Kimi Raikkonen form the backbone of the team's new title challenge.

Technical director Ross Brawn, though, is expected to take a year out in 2007, while will means Aldo Costa, who is head of the Design and Development Department, will take on more responsibility.

No official announcement as yet has been forthcoming from the Scuderia, who intend waiting until the end of the season to confirm their team personnel for 2007.

Schumi will still earn millions after F1

Even if Michael won't be earning his money with racing in Formula One we don't have to feel sorry for him. After this season he will be earning around 20 million euro a year with promotion activities his manager revealed.

His manager, Willi Weber, told German magazine Bild that 15 big international companies want to use Schumacher in their promotion activities. "My goal is to make Schumacher a commercial king," Weber said. "Most of our current partner will stay with us. I've been in this business for many years but I never experienced what is happening at the moment. Companies seem to be fighting for Michael since he announced his retirement."

Schumacher's current partners Shell (1.6 million euro a year), watchmaker Omega (1 million euro) and DVAG (2.6 million) have already extended their contracts with Schumacher. In his Formula One career Schumacher earned over 650 million euro already.

Schumi didn't want to become an also-ran

Michael wishes to end his career at the top.

Germany's seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher revealed Monday that his decision to quit Formula One was due to his desire to end his career at the top rather than stay on and become an also-ran.

Schumacher said at the time that he felt the time was right, and justified the decision 24 hours later by saying he did not want to become a run of the mill driver.

"I am not getting any younger and I had to ask myself whether I would have the energy, the strength and the motivation to stay at the forefront of the sport over the next few years," the 37-year-old said on his homepage.

"Of course I am still fit and of course I can compete but it is not my style just to take part.

"I know that a lot of people question the timing but it was perfect as far as I am concerned."

Schumacher's 90th career victory in Monza moved him two points behind leader Fernando Alonso in the drivers' championship and he is now fired up for the final three races and the chance to lift an eighth title.

"I do not want to concentrate on the past and my focus is on the world championship," Schumacher said. "There are three races left and we are so close. From now on the only important thing is the title. Everything else can wait."

Schumi Retiring - A Sad Day For Formula 1

Michael Schumacher's career 90 wins
A run down of Schumacher's success
Formula 1 will never be the same, Ferrari will never be the same.

Michael Schumacher claimed his 90th career Grand Prix victory in the Formula One world championship just before announcing his forthcoming retirement on Sunday.

Ahead of the season's final three races, below is a list of those career wins.

Grand Prix wins

France (Magny-Cours): 8 (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006,)
Canada (Montreal): 7 (1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004)
San Marino (Imola): 7 (1994, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)
Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps): 6 (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002)
Japan (Suzuka): 6 (1994, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
Spain (Barcelona): 6 (1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Europe (Jerez and Nurburgring): 6 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006)
Monaco: 5 (1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001)
United States (Indianapolis): 5 (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
Brazil (Interlagos): 4 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2002)
Hungary (Hungaroring): 4 (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004)
Italy (Monza): 5 (1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006)
Australia (Melbourne): 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
Germany (Hockenheim): 4 (1995, 2002, 2004, 2006)
Great Britain (Silverstone): 3 (1998, 2002, 2004)
Malaysia (Sepang): 3 (2000, 2001, 2004)
Pacific (Aida): 2 (1994, 1995)
Austria (A1-Ring): 2 (2002, 2003)
Portugal (Estoril): 1 (1993)
Argentina (Buenos Aires): 1 (1998)
Bahrain (Sakhir): 1 (2004)

Year-by-year victories

1992: 1 (Belgium)
1993: 1 (Portugal)
1994: 8 (Brazil, Pacific, San-Marino, Monaco, Canada, France, Hungary, Europe)
1995: 9 (Brazil, Spain, Monaco, France, Germany, Belgium, Europe, Pacific, Japan)
1996: 3 (Spain, Belgium, Italy)
1997: 5 (Monaco, Canada, France, Belgium, Japan)
1998: 6 (Argentina, Canada, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy)
1999: 2 (San-Marino, Monaco)
2000: 9 (Australia, Brazil, San-Marino, Europe, Canada, Italy, United States, Japan, Malaysia)
2001: 9 (Australia, Malaysia, Spain, Monaco, Europe, France, Hungary, Belgium, Japan)
2002: 11 (Australia, Brazil, San-Marino, Spain, Austria, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Japan)
2003: 6 (San-Marino, Spain, Austria, Canada, Italy, United States)
2004: 13 (Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain, San-Marino, Spain, Europe, Canada, United States, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Japan)
2005: 1 (United States)
2006: 6 before China, Japan and Brazil (San Marino, Europe, United States, France, Germany, Italy)

Schumi retirement - Ferrari's official statement

Ferrari statement
"Michael Schumacher will retire from race driving at the end of the 2006 World Championship. 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 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 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.

Ferrari confirms Raikkonen and Massa

Following the announcement of Michael Schumacher's retirement, Ferrari confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen joins on a three-year deal and Massa's contract has been extended for another two seasons.

Massa is now contracted until the end of 2008 while Raikkonen is signed up until the end of 2009.

Luca Badoer will be the official test driver once again.

Schumi Confirms Retirement

Michael Schumacher will officially retire at the end of this season, he confirmed in the post race press conference having taken his 90th career victory.

"This is the last Monza race I'll do and at the end of this year I've decided with the team I'll retire from racing," Schumacher said. "It has been an exceptional time the last thirty years of what motorsport has given to me - I've loved all the good and bad moments and they've made it so special."

"I want to thank my family, my dad, mum, wife and kids all of whom have supported what I've been doing," he went on. "Without their support to survive in this business and perform would be impossible. I can't be thankful to my family enough and to all my mates from the Benetton times and Ferrari days where I've made so many friends here and it's been a really tough decision to decide not to work together any more."

"One day, it has to come, and I feel this is the moment," he went on. "In terms of timing, I think it is right to give Felipe to find his place in the team and decide his future and there was no point for my decision to be taken any further as he's been doing such a good job for the team."

Retiring Schumacher cuts Alonso's lead to two points

Michael Schumacher drove faultlessly to secure his 90th Grand Prix victory from Kimi Raikkonen and BMW's Robert Kubica. The big news however, was that Fernando Alonso's engine failure has allowed Schumacher to close to within two points of the championship lead, with three races remaining. Schumacher also confirmed he is to retire at the end of this season.

Schumi entertains at Nurburgring

Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher took part in Ferrari's 'Racing Days 2006' event on Sunday at Nurburgring. The German entertained the crowd of 35,000 with a series of laps in Ferrari's latest road beast - the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano - and rounded the demonstration off with a run in the F2005 itself, in which he lit up the event with some race starts, donuts and quick laps.

The event included displays of historic Ferrari F1 cars and around sixty road cars. Schumacher also showed off his very own FXX, which has been built for research and development purposes.

"It's an honour for me to take part in the programme," said Schumacher, "especially as it allows for an interesting exchange of technical information.

"The atmosphere of the Ferrari Racing Days is incredible with so many fans. I am very happy to be here," he concluded.

Ferrari to announce driver line-up after Monza race

Ferrari will reveal its 2007 driver line-up on the day of the Monza Grand Prix on 10 September. The Italian team confirmed on Friday that the lengthy speculation regarding Michael Schumacher's future will end once the race is over.

"Ferrari will make an announcement on Sunday after the race," Schumacher's spokeswoman has stated.

It is widely reported that Kimi Raikkonen will be joining from McLaren, however, all eyes are on Schumacher and what Formula One's multi-record holder will decide at potentially his last ever Grand Prix in Europe.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport expects him to retire.

"The fact that Maranello will announce their 2007 line-up after the end of the race leads one to believe that Sunday's race will be Schumacher's last Monza."

2007 Driver Line-Up - New Twist

Speculation surrounding the timing and appearance of Ferrari's driver line-up for 2007 has taken a new twist, with reports that - at Monza - the Italian team plans to confirm the identity of three racers.

The Guardian in England cited the information of 'sources close to Ferrari' while suggesting that the highly-anticipated press announcement is likely to feature the names Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher.

"But their precise status will be defined later," the report said, "(giving) Schumacher another few months of decision time."

At the same time, the Spanish sports newspaper AS is claiming that Raikkonen has now signed a contract to drive not only for Ferrari in 2007, but also for Renault.

The article explained that the 26-year-old Finn's Renault contract contains a clause that allows him to drive for Ferrari in the event that Michael Schumacher retires.

Similarly, Raikkonen's Ferrari deal would be void if Schumacher keeps racing beyond 2006.

Schumi Promises to Fight Hard

Monday, August 28th: Great athletes are people who can handle set-backs better than others: without this skill, that's no secret, they wouldn't be as successful - and without this skill, they wouldn't be able to turn things around time and time again. And that's exactly what Michael plans to do in the remaining four races.

"Okay, the race at Istanbul didn't do us any good in the fight for the championship. Okay, so it's become a little more difficult now," a determined Michael stated. "But to think we'd give up now would be a huge mistake. It's still possible for us to secure the title, and each and every one of us wants it. There are still 40 points to be scored, so anything is still possible. We will continue to attack and put the pressure on and we will keep on taking risks, because that is the only way to do it. I don't like to make any promises, but I will promise one thing: we will keep going all out to score this title.“

Massa storms to maiden win

Felipe Massa stormed to his maiden F1 victory from pole position in Turkey becoming the sport's second first-time winner in as many races. Fernando Alonso held off immense pressure from Michael Schumacher in the final stages of the race to lead the German home in second and third places respectively.

Massa established himself in the lead ahead of Schumacher, Alonso, Button, Webber and Kubica. Things looked stable until lap 14 when Liuzzi spun under pressure from Albers and stalled his car in the middle of turn one. The safety car was deployed to remove the car from a dangerous position and Massa, Schumacher and Alonso all filed into the pits. Schumacher had to sit and wait though for Ferrari to service his team mate and in the meantime Alonso cruised past into second place. That proved to ruin any chances of Schumi finishing better than 3rd. Schumi now trails Alonso by 12 pts with 4 races left.

Schumi in Top 20 High Earning Celebrities

He can anonymously holiday in the country, but US business magazine Forbes has placed Michael Schumacher inside the top-twenty of its latest list of high-earning celebrities.

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg tops the charts with more than a staggering (US) $330 million for the year, while Ferrari's Schumacher - his annual take estimated at around the $60 million mark - is placed fifteenth.

On Forbes' ranking of 'celebrity power', meanwhile, 37-year-old Schumacher is situated just thirtieth, although he ranks sixth of the athletes, behind names including Muhammed Ali, Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan.

Intriguingly, the magazine also found that Schumacher is the highest paid athlete who is not sponsored by Nike.

In another publication, however, Sport Illustrated said Schumacher topped its recent International Top-20 list, estimating the German's annual earnings at some $80 million.

He was trailed by Valentino Rossi, Ronaldinho, Maria Sharapova and David Beckham, although Tiger Woods topped the list of American athletes with a whopping $97.6m wage.

Schumi - Kimi Lineup For 2007 Looking Very Serious

Yet another racing publication has claimed inside knowledge of Michael Schumacher's decision, due to be publicly announced at Monza next month, about his future in Formula One beyond 2006.

Recent reports suggested that the 37-year-old German was set to retire, but Auto Bild Motorsport - citing 'sources' - now adds to claims in Britain that Schumacher is in fact due to sign a new contract for 2007.

The seven time World Champion's Ferrari deal will also include an 'option' for 2008, the German publication added, with Kimi Raikkonen as his new joint number-one team-mate.

With Schumacher-Raikkonen in the race cockpits, Maranello incumbent Felipe Massa is most likely to slip into a highly-paid role as a Ferrari test driver.

Ferrari's Latest Creation 612 P4/5

Called the 612 P4/5, the amazing creation mixes the artistic talents of legendary Italian design firm Pininfarina with the searing performance of the Ferrari Enzo. The stunning car will be officially unveiled to the public later this month at the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event in California.

A year and a half in the making, the project is the dream of super-rich US movie mogul and Ferrari enthusiast James Glickenhaus. He took his Enzo to Pininfarina requesting a completely new body inspired by the P4 racing cars which competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours back in the Sixties.

The P4/5 is a complete contrast to the sharply styled, Formula One-inspired Enzo on which it’s based. It has more than 200 completely new body parts, including a whole host of luscious curves, from the front wings to the tail.

But the most amazing feature of the P4/5 is the clear glass canopy. It extends from the windscreen over the roof and engine, all the way to the rear, and incorporates a pair of gullwing doors. At the front, the Enzo’s twin radiators have been replaced by a single unit to allow a shorter nose more in keeping with the P4 of the Sixties. In contrast, the LED headlamps and tail-lights, intricate 20-inch alloys and complex reprofiled venturi tunnels which help to provide downforce are bang up-to-date.

The steering wheel features the same paddleshifters as the Enzo on which the P4/5 is based, and they’re connected to an identical six-speed gearbox. Power comes from the same 660bhp 6.0-litre V12, too, but thanks to that glass roof and new bodywork, weight has fallen by 55kg to 1,310kg.

Combined with wind tunnel-tested aerodynamics, that means the P4/5 has a potential top speed of 225mph, up from the Enzo’s 217mph. A wider track front and rear offer even higher cornering speeds, too. It should ensure an incredible response when the 612 P4/5 gets its official public launch at Pebble Beach on 20 August.

Schumi Fails To Finish Hungarian Grand Prix

The weekend started to look good for schumi when Alonso as penalized by 2 seconds in each qualifying session for dangerous driving and passing on yellow flags in the second practice session. Then schumi got the same penalty for passing Alonso on the red flag in practice session 3 which obviously was provoked by Alonso’s sudden breaking.

Then the race. The wet conditions made for a thrilling first lap. Massa struggled despite his front row grid slot but the action was all on Schumacher and Alonso who were fourth and fifth by the end of the first lap.

Alonso was then on the tail of Schumacher at the end of lap three and feigned a move down the inside of the final corner, but Schumacher wasn't about to give up - slamming the door firmly. But it was not enough and Alonso was rampant over the back of the Ferrari and eventually pulled off an audacious move around the outside of turn four to take fourth from Schumacher.

Schumacher was on full wets and struggling. The German dropped a further position as Button slipped through the inside of turn one on lap seven and went on to fall back almost twenty seconds behind Alonso in the next ten laps.

Schumacher's afternoon went from bad to worse as when Fisichella tried to pass around the outside, Schumacher lost grip and slid into the Renault, tearing his front wing off. The Ferrari pitted for repairs and took on intermediate tyres as the rain began to stream down.

As Alonso looked certain to claim back some points on Michael Schumacher his strong race fell apart after his second pit stop when he suffered a rear drive shaft failyre which sent him sliding off into the tyre barrier at turn two.

A dejected Alonso trudged back to the pits as Button steamed off into the lead. The Honda driver pitted for dry tyres on lap 54 and rejoined at the head of the field. Michael Schumacher found himself up in second place after a dramatic afternoon and seemed to settle for the eight points when he knew Alonso was out.

As Button was peerless out front, Schumacher fell under heavy pressure from Pedro de la Rosa and on lap 65 the pair had contact at chicane, Schumacher pushed wide and forced to cut the corner. Schumacher was defiant and would not let de la Rosa past, but the following lap the Spaniard proved too strong and took second place at the same corner.

Schumacher then fell into the clutches of Nick Heidfeld and the pair had contact at the chicane, Schumacher sustaining suspension damage and forced to retire in an epic race that saw both championship rivals suffer the same fate.

There is now a 3 week break and the next race will be on August 27 in Turkey.

Schumi Wins the German Grand Prix !!!

Michael Schumacher strolled to his third straight win and his fifth of the season to cut Fernando Alonso's lead by six points to just eleven, with six rounds still to go. Felipe Massa crowned another perfect result for Ferrari with second place while Kimi Raikkonen drove hard all afternoon to salvage third. Alonso could do no better than fifth. Michael and Felipe also finsished 1st and second in qualifying this weekend.

Michael Schumacher commented, "Superb! I can't begin to find the right adjectives to describe the car-engine-Bridgestone tyre package and the performance of the whole team. We worked hard at last week's Paul Ricard test and I am very happy that today that work bore fruit. I want to congratulate Felipe, who drove a great race. It was very important to have made up several points over our main rivals at the key moment of the season. I had no problems whatsoever all weekend and I have to say that winning here in front of my fans makes it a really special victory. Already, during this morning's Driver Parade I got a great feeling seeing all the support I had in the crowd and I am happy to have been able to pay them back with this win. The fight for both titles is now very open. There are still six races to go and there is still room to push and put those in front of us under more pressure. I am confident and keen to get back on with the next few races."

Schumi wins the French Grand Prix !!!

Schumi won his 88th race of his career by becoming the first driver to win the french grand prix for the 8th time, no one has ever won a same grand prix that number of times. He qualified 1st by getting his 68th pole position of his career. Felipe Massa qualified 2nd but finished 3rd. Schumi is now 17 pts behind championship leader Alonso. Schumi led the race from beginning to end and dominated the whole time, making us remember the glory days of 2004, Ferrari is back on track!!!

Schumi wins the US Grand Prix !!!

Ferrari threw down the gauntlet to championship rival Renault with a defiant one-two finish for Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa. Schumacher took his 87th career victory and his third of the season to cut Fernando Alonso's championship lead by six points to eighteen, Alonso finished 5th.

Ferrari 1 and 2 in Indy Qualifying

Schumi and Massa qualified 1 and 2 in the indy qualifying. They totally dominated the qualifying by being more than a second faster than 3rd place Fisichella. Schumi got his 67th pole position of his career.

Canadian GP Results

1. Alonso
2. Schumi
3. Kimi
4. Fisichella
5. Massa
6. Trulli
7. Heidfeld
8. Coulthard

Schumi Second In Montreal !

Schumi came in second at the canadian grand prix after qualifying 5th. He had a bad start falling to seventh spot but came back to fight up to 3rd. He then passed Kimi on the last lap in the hairpin to take second place. Jarno Trulli and back markers made his quest even more comlpicated by slowing him down. Schumi unfortunately is 25 points behind championship leader Alonso.

June 22 - The Day I Met Schumi

Today I met Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher, my idol. What an experience!!