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.