When should Michael Schumacher retire?

Logrence · 12 Jun 2005, 15:58 (Ref:1326408)

This poor man is the subject of constant and endless speculation as to when he might be throwing in the old towel and calling it a Tag, but when do you think it will (was?) the best time for him to retire?

Has he seen better days, are we yet to see some more magical stuff from the German Wunderkind?

Keep it clean and don't let's get personal.

**Aysedasi** · 12 Jun 2005, 15:59 (Ref:1326409)

It matters little to me. He's achieved far more than he probably ever thought possible and has more money than mere mortals could ever dream of. Who knows, with a season like he's had so far, you could be watching his last season? Or would he want to go out with a bang rather than a whimper?

Rich R · 12 Jun 2005, 16:10 (Ref:1326417)

probably won't happen, but i'd like to see him try other forms of motorsport when he does leave f1, especially going back to sportscars.
i still think he has a lot of fight left in him yet though, the car might not be the best this year but at most races that hasn't stopped him trying his hardest, so i see him sticking around for a couple more years yet.

**Born Racer** · 12 Jun 2005, 16:12 (Ref:1326419)

He's not a favourite driver of mine, but I'm pleased to see him sticking it out in tougher racing conditions this year.

The fact is he's got extreme skill such that he hasn't gone off the boil, so it's perfectly right for him to carry on if he's feeling it. The whole "retiring on a high point" thing would be ideal obviously, but is not necessary. He's getting a lot of racing done this year.

Kempi · 12 Jun 2005, 16:24 (Ref:1326429)

To me, it's much more honoring not just leaving with a championship but giving others the chance to beat him.
A title while MS is still racing is worth more than being the first after he retired.

**Adam43** · 12 Jun 2005, 16:30 (Ref:1326433)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logrence

This poor man is the subject of constant and endless speculation as to when he might be throwing in the old towel and calling it a

Sorry what a great way to start such a thread.

The answer is obvious to me though. He should retire when he wants to.

JeremySmith · 12 Jun 2005, 16:37 (Ref:1326439)

He will know when it is time, right now he is still having fun, Michael is way to pragmatic to continue past his time, at the moment he is still extreemly competitive. I would like to see him later being involved in running a team, now I DON"T mean owning one

**Aysedasi** · 12 Jun 2005, 16:39 (Ref:1326441)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

I DON"T mean owning one

Why not? He could afford it.......

JeremySmith · 12 Jun 2005, 16:51 (Ref:1326449)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Why not? He could afford it.......

Remember Prost Grand Prix..

richard_sykes · 12 Jun 2005, 16:40 (Ref:1326444)

I see no need for this to happen very soon. He was outstanding last her, Ferrari where hit hard with new regualtions and now seem to be comming back abit.

Lets hope he stays around a bit longer.

Gt_R · 12 Jun 2005, 16:54 (Ref:1326452)

I think Michael should retire when he feels that he doesn't perform anymore.

Right now, Michael is still the best driver around although i suspect no longer at his ultimate peak form. We see, and will start to see, some races where he looks only to be at 90%, make a couple of mistakes more per year.

But Michael is a competitive person, and more importantly love what he does now. He's so comfortable with Ferrari and with racing in F1, that his motivation is virtually insulated from short stints of poor performance. He wants to keep trying to prove others wrong, and we see stunning performances from him time and time again.

MS is still very much a top ranked driver.

When he leaves F1, F1 would be a poorer place. He'd leave a void among the quality of drivers which would be hard to replace. But to be fair to any upcoming stars, ie Kimi, Alonso... i think it is unfair to them to say that winning without MS around devalue their championship worth. To me, even if MS retired last season and some other drivers won WDC this year, it would be as deserved as when MS is around.

**John Turner** · 12 Jun 2005, 19:09 (Ref:1326516)

He'll go when he is good and ready. He was dogged today, and as far as could be seen, made no mistakes (unlike those around him), and when he smelt a chance of victory he pushed Kimi to the line in a car which really wasn't expected to be in contention (despite his demon qualifying). This guy is still hungry and competitive; he loves it - why would he want to go? A true champion!

Nicholosophy · 12 Jun 2005, 19:19 (Ref:1326544)

He'll go when he is ready. He may actually leave earlier than we think; he is a family man and may decide that the risk is not worth it anymore. He'll be more than capable of driving the wheels off the thing still, just not willing to risk it all...

I think eventually you'll see him doing some form of racing - whether just racing go-karts for fun or something official... You sense with him it's more about the competition than anything; it would be good to see him at Le Mans or maybe WTCS...

Xpunk75 · 12 Jun 2005, 19:23 (Ref:1326556)

I don't see any reason for him to retire except if he is tired of racing which he is not. We are seeing some of his best stuff right now with him struggling with a slower car to try to win podiums and races. I for one think he is doing a great job in the Ferrarie as is Rubens. It reminds me of the 1993 season where Senna had a much more underpowered Ford Mclaren and he was beating Micheal and Prost who had much more superior cars. Real Champions show how great they are in slower cars sometimes. I think we would all be talking about this if he had managed to get around Alonso at Italy and Kimi today for the wins.

VilleneuveTracy · 12 Jun 2005, 19:24 (Ref:1326560)

What is the normal "shelf life" for a F1 champion or other top F1 driver? In NASCAR top drivers retire when they approach 50 years old. Dale Earnhardt was 49 years old and still finished a strong second in the NASCAR standings in 2000. I have heard that F1 drivers retire much earlier but I am curious as to what the general age range is for the retirement of top F1 drivers.

I would like to see Schumacher, DC, and of course, JV continue to race in F1 for several more years.

mrchrisdavies · 5 Aug 2010, 15:27 (Ref:2739886)

I would love to see him retire at the end of the season...no now! seriously! He should never have comeback.

However, in a more constructive thought principle...if I were him I would carry on for say another 4 or 5 years, like Rubens has done for example. I dont feel MS has anything like what he had before. What he still has though is good driving ability and that aggresive edge (which he will never lose) If he can control his stupid driving and arrogance and get a good car he could still in with a shout at winning another championship one day. At the minute however he still seems to be in self distruct mode.

I was beginning to like him a little bit until he came back. Now I remember why I hated him and how he made me almost stop watching F1 altogether!

porman · 5 Aug 2010, 15:31 (Ref:2739889)

Chris,

Just out of curiosity. Whom is your favorite driver and why? Sorry to hi-jack the thread guys!

Xpunk75 · 12 Jun 2005, 19:37 (Ref:1326596)

The average age retirment can be anywhere from 34 to 38. I believe Mansel was 38 when he won the championship and 39 or 40 when he retired in his last race with Mclaren at Monaco but I believe Micheal can drive till he is about 38 because of his work out and his just natural talent.

VilleneuveTracy · 14 Jun 2005, 08:39 (Ref:1328079)

Thanks for the response, xpunk75.

thejester · 14 Jun 2005, 23:55 (Ref:1328858)

He should swap seats with Valentino Rossi end of this year

Seriously tho, I see him racing next year as his last. By then, unless Ferrari come back with a vengeance, he might be inclined to do something else for a while.

And in ten years or so...

Team Schumacher joins F1!

Kicking-back · 12 Jun 2005, 19:48 (Ref:1326617)

End of this season, head held high.

He can still do it, but time to make way for the next generations.

Logrence · 12 Jun 2005, 22:30 (Ref:1326828)

He's got nothing left to prove, but would he really leave before next year? I think he'll want to win the title once more to leave on a high note. It'll rankle if he gets beaten this season and leaves.

mac · 14 Jun 2005, 00:45 (Ref:1327861)

Whenever he wants - he drove a fantastic race in Canada and for the large part has been brilliant this season.

**Born Racer** · 1 Aug 2010, 13:33 (Ref:2737315)

The Schumacher of old wouldn't have let Webber past going so slowly (he was too shap). In fact, the Schumacher of old wouldn't have done anything so slowly.

dsg · 1 Aug 2010, 13:34 (Ref:2737317)

As soon as Rubens passes him.

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