Michael Schumacher to announce retirement this weekend?
Will he stay, or will he go? That's the question of the week in Formula 1, as Ferrari ace Michael Schumacher ponders returning in 2007 for one final year of competition in F1 - or not. Germany's Bild-Zeitung has predicted that the 37 year-old champion will announce his retirement in the post-race press conference at this weekend's race at Monza, if he finishes in the top three. Otherwise, he will make the announcement in the Ferrari press conference already scheduled for Sunday evening.
Schumacher's not talking - preferring to focus on his 2006 championship bid - but there are many others willing to make the call, including the always outspoken Flavio Briatore, who told Gazzetta dello Sport, "Michael will say goodbye at Monza. He is 37 now and not the same Michael as four or five years ago."
There is mounting evidence that Schumacher has lost the focus that made him a dominant force in past years, with miscues in Hungary and Turkey hurting his title chances this year, and of course, the infamous incident during Monaco qualifying.
Whether or not Schumacher announces his retirement this weekend, Ferrari are expected to confirm, at long last, its signing of Kimi Raikkonen for next year.
[Sources: GrandPrix.com, Crash.net]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AnonymousInsights 2:31PM (9/06/2006)
Nice Marlboro ad.
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Mustang 5:26PM (9/06/2006)
Flavio Briatore is an idiot. He should keep his big mouth shut and mind his own business. The reality is that he's pissed that Schumacher, who was extremely far behind in the points standings earlier in the season, has now begun to catch up to his golden boy. Proving that he still has what it takes to win, and dominate.
Whether or not Schumacher will retire nobody knows, but my prediction is probably not.
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desertkarma 7:22PM (9/06/2006)
Mustang:
totally with you. I'd definitely like to see Schumacher next year when everyone drives on the same tire.
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Richard 9:23PM (9/06/2006)
1. Flav is NOT an idiot. In fact he'll probably run F1 next...if somejealous ex-girlfriend dosn't have him done in.
2. Alonso is NOT Flav's boy: he went behind Flav's back to sign with Ron Dennis @ McLaren because Renault were tardy in making a commitment to an F1 future...and I bet old "Fred" is sorry he did that one!
3. My prediction is that MS retires (sad) and that Raikonnen and Massa are together next year @ the Scuderia F.
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Paveway 12:13PM (9/07/2006)
MS on a bad day is still a threat. But at 37 years old, he's not as mentally and physically sharp as he used to be, relatively speaking.
I say retire and go enjoy your family. He's got plenty of cash, and his records will stand long after he departs this earth after a long happy life.
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Grajeda 9:35PM (9/07/2006)
just one more year please........
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tbyron 12:58AM (9/07/2006)
I am torn. As much as I would like to see Kimi beat Schu next year, it will be good to see him gone. He's ruthless, generally great but also completely classless on the track and annoyingly dull off.
The sport needs a major overhaul. By far, the most entertaining race all year was made so by the rain in Hungary.
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Galley 9:37AM (9/07/2006)
I say, "good riddance"!
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