Seven times formula one Grand Prix driver Michael Schumacher bowed out of Grand Prix racing today in his final race. He’s now retired, bringing to and end one of the most impressive F1 careers.
I’ve not always been a fan of Michael. The german has not always endeared himself to Grand Prix fans with questionable maneuvers and tactics. But no one can deny that Schumacher has an unrivaled success record that is unlikely to be beaten for many years to come.
His final race today was set to be a world championship showdown that might have ended in his eighth world title, but bad luck in the race meant that any hope he had of winning the title faded in the first few laps. I had hoped that Michael would have the fairy tale finish to his career and the 2006 season.
Some people think that with the dominance of Schumacher gone from formula one will mean better, closer and more exciting races. I’m not so sure myself, I guess we’ll find out next March when the F1 circus starts again in Australia.
—
Michael Schumacher’s official website
Michael Schumacher [Wiki]
Wrote the following comment on Oct 23, 2006 at 9:41 am
My dad has always been a huge fan of Formula 1, so I’ve been watching it (on and off) for as long as I can remember. And I won’t deny that Michael Schumacher was an extraordinary pilot, and achieved many great things… but, to me, F1 died when Ayrton Senna did. My dad will sure be disappointed though…
Wrote the following comment on Oct 23, 2006 at 9:48 am
Well Luli, you and I are on the same level there. Ayrton Senna was a great driver and an amazing man to watch behind the wheel of a formula one car. I still feel sad that because of his untimely death we were robbed of some of the greatest races and one of the greatest duels of formula one history. The Senna/Schumacher years would have been amazing I think.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 27, 2006 at 3:24 pm
did you know that…
my little brother, ayrton, is named after a formula 1 driver.
now you know.
simon what is your e-mail address? i have a vid i think you might want to watch.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 27, 2006 at 3:31 pm
okay, i realize that my comment seems kinda dumb now, since i didn’t read your first two comments. the strange thing is that ayrton senna died a couple months after my brother was born. and for some reason i was watching that race (it was on very early in the morning and i couldn’t sleep, and i was only eight at the time so i’m guessing there weren’t any cartoons on either) so i saw it happen. i’ve never followed any kind of racing though. i think it’s really boring.
Wrote the following comment on Oct 28, 2006 at 12:11 am
When I was in Germany in the late sixties I saw two Formula 1 races (German Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix). I jumped into the pits at Monza. I got a picture of Mr. Ferrari. Jackie Stewart won the GGP in fog and rain. He called it his best race ever. I loved both!
Wrote the following comment on Oct 29, 2006 at 3:31 am
Hey Simon. I thought of you when I saw that he retired.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 23, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I agree Simon. Senna was a great driver and we were robbed of what would have been one of sportings greatest rivalries. My money would still have been on Senna to outdo Schumacher though and I am not just saying that because he is dead. We have seen Schumacher make many mistakes, however Senna less so. He was a truely great driver. He did annoy at times but he was fast, accurate and clever. I found this video on YouTube about all the F1 drivers that perished in a race. I have to say during some a tear came to my eye!
Wrote the following comment on Feb 23, 2007 at 5:10 pm
They would have been some very dirty trick races too. Senna was terribly unsporting if he felt he needed to be, as was Michael. I wrote a Meanwhile article some years back about Senna’s death.
Funny, I still miss Aryton.