F1 » Schumacher: I quit F1 to save Massa's seat

I was gutted when Hill missed the title that year. When I look at the crash now it appears like more of a racing incident. Unless MS completly pulled off of the racing line there is no way that pass was ever going to work. But he took the racing line and the rest is history. When he hit JV there was not a shadow of a doubt that it was intentional. The FIA correctly DQ'd him from the entire season.

For someone with as long a career as MS had even if he was guilty of the three major offenses that most fans believe he is that really is not that bad. They were all split second decisions. I think most athletes have moments of poor sportsmanship in their careers.

@Jayson
Since when did you start watching F1? Driver aids only became legal in 2001. Sure JV's got talent but nothing compared to Schumi. JV was lucky to start his F1 career in the best F1 car on the grid in 1996 and 1997. When he didn't have a good car, he's crap.

Schumacher: one of the greats. His statement about retiring: total B.S.

Schumi is a legend of the sport.

It's also clear that Felipe was mentored by Michael in the time they spent together as teammates. This also continued after Schumi retired. The delight that Michael had when Felipe had successes was and is real.

I'm sure that Kimi was No.1 pick at Ferrari as a successor and had Michael stayed then Felipe would've gone, most probably to another team.

I'm sure that what Michael was meant to have said was that, but it has been twisted.

Oh, as a 7 time world champion, Michael had every right to decide, enough was enough.

Frank Williams himself said that Jacque was fast but seemed to go against everything the engineers suggested and made it so difficult for himself and the team to win the title.

It's great to be focussed, be determined and have beliefs, but when you make it so hard despite the best equipment, that is not smart.

His stubborness and self belief are what led him down the money tree and result barren land at BAR. At Sauber he was outclassed by Felipe, then replaced by Kubica.

Well if the British media can take out of context answers of people whay not the Swiss media. Are we certain MS really said what he is supposed to have said. One thing we posters do so easily is to assume all the statements in any media to be correct. And another thing we thrive is to find any of this forums to bash the opposition. Whatever we may say MS's record in F1 is unique and of course all his achievements in non-British teams, he can't be good it is impossible....

Going to be really picky now...

Technically not all of Schumachers successes came in non-British teams. The Benneton team he won with were based in the UK and the team was renamed after they bought out the Toleman (British) team in the mid 80's. They just claimed to be Italian, like Midland claimed to be Russian.

The good thing about Schumacher retiring from F1 is he is now racing motorbikes! he says its far more fun and exciting to watch than the boring procession we now get with F1

Well done Adrian... You may be right in being picky but as we have seen in the last decade or so there are no real British cars left to be proud of. All so antiquated that they are no good in Global terms... (save one AM and who knows for how long). Even the almighty Mini has been revived by BMW, all the others are lost in history books. They may have been British teams, but when he started piling up WDCs and all the records they were in the hands of foreigners and not to forget the Ferrari...

MS might have done well at a time when there were plenty driver aids in the cars, but let me point out the same driver aids also helped the other drivers, including KR, Alonso and Villeneuve. Villeneuve was competitive only when behind the wheel of the best car at the time. Don't forget MS won the champs first time in a car NOT considered up to speed in the pack at the time. I agree with Mark about Senna getting away with virtual murder. No matter why he retired, MS left at the right time. If he says it was to save Massa's seat, well, we'd have to get a statement to the contrary from Massa or Ferrari to really be able to say he's lying, no? Tall trees catch the most wind.