Highlights

Schumacher can join elite retirement club

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-08 09:12

Villeneuve had not won a race since his 1997 title with Williams and his departure was barely noticed, disguised initially as injury-related after a crash in the previous race.

Twice champion Mika Hakkinen was different, wanting out but unable to sever ties completely: "I simply just want to enjoy a break," he declared at Monza in 2001, announcing a year's 'sabbatical'. He never returned.

Briton Nigel Mansell was another who left without formally retiring, storming off to America's CART series after winning the 1992 Formula One title and then returning in 1994 with Williams.

FIZZLED OUT

His Formula One career finally fizzled out in 1995 after two races at McLaren when he was unable to fit into the car. But, as he often points out, he never retired.

Damon Hill, Britain's last champion in 1996, was older than Schumacher when he quit in 1999 but by then his glory days were long gone.

Austrian Niki Lauda quit twice, first in 1979 because he was "fed up driving around in stupid circles" and then because he realised it really was time to go.

Jackie Stewart called it a day in 1973 after his third championship was marred by the death of team mate and friend Francois Cevert in the final race of that season.

But perhaps it is Prost, announcing his definitive retirement at Estoril in 1993 after an enforced break in 1992, whose position was closest to what Schumacher may be feeling in the twilight of his career.

"I want to leave at the summit ... it is a decision that I have reached after careful consideration throughout the year," said the French four-times champion.

"I feel after so many years at the top that I should be allowed to take a rest. It has been a long and difficult career. I feel I have given a lot to the sport, and I want to leave with a smile on my face."

Schumacher, if he has decided to go, could say no better than that.