Schumacher to quit if Ferrari doesn't win

[bmagni]

Michael Schumacher says he will only quit F1 when he feels he can't win races and challenge for the title any more. He also revealed that he'd take a decision on his long term F1 future around mid way through the 2006 season.

"If I can't win races and challenge for the title I don't think I'll want to stay around much longer," Schumacher told Der Spiegel in an interview.

Schumacher turned 37 this week and is the oldest driver currently in F1. He won only a single race last season - the controversial US Grand Prix when only six cars participated and he finished third overall in the championship.

[Caplax40]

That's probably a smart move on his part. Always good to go out on top. He's won seven championships and eventually it must come to an end. It's best not to drag his career out and have it muddied (that even a word?) by going to different teams and having dissapointing seasons.

Jerry Rice, anybody? 8)

[racer_f50]

Quite an understandable decision. Hopefully we'll see him win some races so he'll keep on going into future seasons. F1 would be losing about 1/2 its talent if he retires 8)

Also must say I'm not surprised by his "win or i retire" opinion, since he didn't go back to the Race of Champions after he didn't win it.

[SFDMALEX]

/\/\/\Well he couldnt win it anyway since he is not allowed to drive some of the cars there.

[Caplax40]

Originally Posted by SFDMALEX /\/\/\Well he couldnt win it anyway since he is not allowed to drive some of the cars there.

Why's that?

[racer_f50]

Originally Posted by Caplax40 Originally Posted by SFDMALEX /\/\/\Well he couldnt win it anyway since he is not allowed to drive some of the cars there. Why's that?

He was only allowed to drive the Ferrari 360's they used in the 2004 competition due to his F1 contract, I reckon (most likely only limits him in competetive driving). Since there weren't any Ferraris in the RoC this year, I suppose it makes sense that he wouldn't show up.
Very good point SFDMALEX, I just figured he didn't want to lose again.

[DeMoN]

smart move? Panzy if you ask me... quitting when it becomes challenging.

[ZfrkS62]

well, you can't say he's lost his touch. I'm sure this is just frustration coming through.

Either that or he's going somewhere else.

[yg60m]

Indeed he's got nothing to prove and he certainly don't want to finish his career by loosing several titles. Or maybe he knows Raikkonen signed with Ferrari for 2007 so he prepares his exit

[Toronto]

he has been saying this for years

[ae86_16v]

Originally Posted by Toronto he has been saying this for years

Exactly. . . he's been saying that for years. I always remember interview of him saying that. Always to the effect of, "if I can't be competitive anymore, then I won't race. And when I am not competitive then I will not have fun."

[DeMoN]

If he quits what will he do? I mean, he has more money than he could ever spend.... I wonder if after so many F1 laps, he now feels really slow while driving around in his hometown.

[ae86_16v]

^ Haha, in a recent interview with Rubens, he said that he usually doesn't speed around town, but he noticed that during the winter break, he'll drive faster and faster until the season starts. Because he misses the speed or something I guess .

I noticed that is the same way about me, after a karting session or an autocross, I tend to be relax for a good couple of days, then I feel the need for speed again .

[SFDMALEX]

Originally Posted by Caplax40 Originally Posted by SFDMALEX /\/\/\Well he couldnt win it anyway since he is not allowed to drive some of the cars there. Why's that?

He is not permitted to drive any non fiat group(owned) vehicle.

Thats why he only drove the Challenge cars and one of those buggies because they didnt have a "brand" so to speak.

[5vz-fe]

I really want him to stick with red, but it does hurt last year not seeing him win a single race.