Michael Schumacher Announces Retirement

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Michael Schumacher announces retirement from Formula 1

Michael Schumacher has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.Lewis Hamilton is to replace the seven-time world champion at Mercedes from next year.Rather than look to continue racing with another team, Schumacher has decided to end an F1 career that began in 1991."Although I am still able to compete with the best drivers, at some point it is good to say goodbye," he said."During the past month I was not sure if I still had the motivation and energy which is necessary to go on."It is not my style to go on if I'm not 100% with it but with today's decision I feel relieved." Schumacher won 91 races between 1991 and 2006, helping to revive Ferrari's fortunes when he joined them in 1996.The German won five straight titles between 2000 and 2004, before retiring in 2006.After four years away from the sport he decided to make a comeback with the Mercedes team in 2010.However, since his return to the sport he has taken just one podium finish over the last three seasons - at Valencia earlier this year.Schumacher had been linked with a move to Sauber for the 2013 season, but he has instead decided to bring an end to his racing career.