(Motorsport-Total.com) – September 10, 2006, was one of the most consequential days in the history of Formula 1. As a World Championship contender and already with seven world championships under his belt, Michael Schumacher announced his retirement from the premier class.
Read more Explained: Why the Spanish Grand Prix is now taking place in Madrid
The then Ferrari driver did this shortly after the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The pole position had slipped from “Schumi” before the Tifosi by only 0.002 seconds. Kimi Räikkönen from McLaren narrowly prevailed, but Schumacher had more fuel in the tank.
He made his first pit stop two laps later than the Finn, took the lead, and was never challenged again. Schumacher finished with an eight-second lead, while teammate Felipe Massa only managed a disappointing ninth place.
For the eleventh time – both in Monza and Imola – Schumacher gave the Tifosi a home victory. It would be his last triumph on Italian soil, as shortly thereafter, with all eyes on him, he announced the news.
“There have been many discussions about my future and so on for a long time, and I think all fans, all motorsport enthusiasts have the right to know what will happen,” the German said at the press conference after the race.
“I’m sorry if it took longer than some of you wanted, but you have to find the right moment, and we believe this is the right moment.”
“To make it short: This will be my last race in Monza. At the end of this year, I have decided together with the team to retire from racing,” said Schumacher.
“Schumi’s” decision had been made for some time
It was perhaps an unusual time for the 37-year-old to leave Formula 1, given the remarkable level he had maintained. In 2006, he was fighting for his eighth world championship, with Fernando Alonso as his only rival. But the context is crucial.
Although it was not yet official, Räikkönen had already signed for Ferrari for 2007 months earlier, so Schumacher knew he had two options: stay at the expense of the young Felipe Massa or step down.
“It was such a good time all along, and it makes no sense to just continue and maybe take away the future of a young, talented driver like Felipe,” he explained at the time.
Michael Schumacher: The Ferrari Years
“Of course, I had known my successor [i.e., Räikkönen] for a long time, and Felipe’s future had to be decided around Indianapolis, and I saw no reason to just continue and take away his chance. I think he is a talented and great person.”
Schumacher made his own decision already at the United States Grand Prix, held from June 30 to July 2, before the traditional announcement in Monza – a decision that was received bittersweetly in Maranello.
Ferrari “accepts” Schumacher’s retirement
“To be honest, I had hoped he might do one more year,” said Fiat boss Luca di Montezemolo about his superstar. “He told me a few weeks ago. In August, I worked a lot on the organization and the future of Ferrari, regardless of the drivers. He was sad but very, very determined.”
“Then there were all the talks. Should we announce it in Monza or at the end of the year? It became too big. It’s better that it was announced now. Since he has made his decision, which we have accepted, I think Ferrari has two strong, young, determined drivers who are hungry for victory for different reasons.”
“Michael knew for many, many months, or I should say for a year, that the choice was to make [Kimi] Räikkönen his partner. Of course, we talked to him, as we did when it was time to choose other drivers, because the team has to agree.”
Read more Williams strategy: Why Albon and Sainz have no set-up secrets
“[Felipe] Massa had an unfortunate start today, and that affected his race. If he had had a better start, it would have been different. But he brings us great joy both as a driver and as a team member.”
“If we lead the Constructors’ Championship, we owe that largely to him,” said di Montezemolo. Schumacher himself said he was “pleased” with Ferrari’s decision to sign Räikkönen, but that did not diminish his emotion during the press conference.
No final farewell
When asked what he would miss most about Formula 1, he was silent for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and said: “Sorry.” That day, Schumacher’s somewhat controversial Formula 1 career was almost unanimously celebrated, despite a few dissenting voices.
Three-time world champion Niki Lauda said Schumacher was “unique,” while rival David Coulthard commented: “Regardless of whether you believe in Michael’s racing ethics or not, you have to acknowledge that he was a great champion and that it is the end of an era.”
But the seven-time titleholder did not care much for praise. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he replied: “Honestly? It doesn’t matter. Some people will want to see me one way, others another.”
Formula 1 Quiz
For which team did Michael Schumacher race in sports cars before his Formula 1 career?
Test yourself now in the Formula 1 quiz and compare yourself with other users
“What matters is that I know what I am, who I am, and where I stand. And if people see me as I am, then I am happy. But I cannot control how everyone sees me. I can only be proud of myself and happy with what I have achieved.”
Ultimately, Schumacher’s retirement proved to be only temporary. A neck injury he sustained in a motorcycle accident prevented him from racing for Massa in 2009 after a severe head injury sidelined the Brazilian for the rest of the season.
Schumacher then signed with Mercedes and raced for the Silver Arrows from 2010 to 2012 but never reached the heights of earlier years again. Severely injured in a skiing accident in December 2013, he has not appeared publicly since.
Schumacher leaves, Hamilton arrives …
But Schumacher’s announcement was not the only reason why September 10, 2006, was so significant. “My ‘Welcome to Formula 1’ moment was Monza 2006,” Lewis Hamilton recently revealed.
“I had just won the GP2 championship. It was on the grid, Kimi was on pole, and I had the privilege to go onto the grid, and I stood in front of Kimi’s car, and Ron [Dennis] put his arm around me and said, while looking at Turn 1: ‘I’m going to give you a chance.’ That was the moment.”
“At that moment, I could hardly believe it and didn’t know what that chance would be about. But obviously, that was the moment he decided to give me a chance for 2007.”
While one legend stepped out of the spotlight, another quietly began his own journey. A journey that would write many chapters in the history books of Formula 1 and put “Schumi’s” records to the test.
Read more Experts: World Championship train for George Russell to Monza probably gone