With all his other interest and pursuits, it is unlikely that German Racing Legend, Michael Schumacher, will go back to making shoes now that his retirement has officially begun. With interests in Soccer, Karaoke, and two children, not to mention on-going sponsorships and a likely job out of the cockpit with the Ferrari team, Schumi's post-race time is already filling up.
What we do know however, is that this is a very different Monday morning for the 7-Time world Formula One Champ. Like any professional athelete, the end of the season comes with a mix of relief and anticipation. Yet for Schumacher, the feelings must be very different this time, especially since such a competitor never really wants to call it quits.
Starting in 1991 at the Belgian Grand Prix at the famed Spa Francochamps circuit, Schumacher's career has spanned 15 years and an incredible 250 Grand Prix contests, which itself is an amazing achievement unlikely to be duplicated any time soon. As a matter of fact, Schumi has quite literally re-written the book in Formula One for all the superlatives and records he holds but also as the President of the Grand Prix Driver's Association. Speaking of records, at last tally, Michael held some 30+ Formula One records, which is itself, surely a record.
You can officially add Formula One racing to the growing list of sports who have seen both the end of a defining generation and figure. Schumacher's name is now synonymous with speed and racing on a worldwide scale as many mentally close the books on what is popularly considered the greatest racing, if not general athletic, career. If the records alone aren't enough, than his earnings might convince you. With an annual salary as high as $80 USD, Schumacher is the first athlete ever to reach the $1 billion dollar mark simply for participating it the sport he/she loves.
To put this influence into some sort of perspective, Schumacher (and now Formula One racing) join the likes of Basketball with Michael Jordan, Pele in Soccer or Muhammad Ali with Boxing and certainly Tiger Woods in golf. The sport itself somehow is changed without their direct participation. You almost need to look outside sports to business or politics to properly compare their domination. (Think Bill Gates of the racing world) Love him or hate him (he is certainly not without controversy), there is even some strange relief among the tifosi surrounding Michael's departure. Coming as close as he did to winning an eighth driver's championship, it is fair to say he is leaving at the top of his game.
Fitting with the story of a legend, Schumacher came from humble beginnings to reach his status on top of the athletic world. Life for Formula One and Ferrari fans goes on and even Michael himself will be around to talk about it, but somehow the end of the 2006 season marks an end and new beginning in automotive racing.
Some of Michael's records include:
Most championship wins: 7
Most consecutive championships: 5
Most race wins: 91
Most consecutive races wins: 7
Most wins (same GP): 8
Most pole positions: 68
Most fastest laps: 76
Most championship points: 1,369
Most championship points (season): 148 (out of 180)
Most laps leading: 4,741
Most time between 1st/last win: 14 years
To read a thorough summary of Michael's career, please click here.
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