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Schumacher`s career sees checkered flag

The most successful driver in Formula One history, Michael Schumacher, announced he will retire at the end of the year. Schumacher has won seven F-1 driving titles and a total of 90 races in his 15 year career, and is currently trailing by only two points behind standings leader Fernando Alonso, with three races remaining in the season. The German hopes pass the Renault team driver and win an eighth world championship.

?This is going to be my last Monza race,? Schumacher, 37, said. ?At the end of the year, I have decided together with the team that I am going to retire from racing. It has been an exceptional, really exceptional time that motor sport, in more than 30 years, has given to me.? The sport has given him, among other things, about $80 million a year in salary and sponsorships.

Schumacher will leave with nearly all of the Formula One records, including most victories, most pole positions and most points. However, he will not be remembered fondly by many of his competitors and sports colleagues. His desire to win at all costs, even by knocking cars out of competitions, has invited comments such as this one by Jacques Villeneuve: ?Michael simply isn?t a great champion because he?s played too many dirty tricks and because he isn?t a great human being,? Villeneuve said in the current issue of F1 Racing magazine.