MICHAEL SCHUMACHER FOREVER

If you are a Michael Schumacher fan, if you are a Ferrari fan, and if you are a fan of Formula One, 10th September 2006 will be a day that you can never forget. Michael Schumacher claimed a brilliant victory at the home of the Tifosi – Monza. It was what happened after the race however that will forever be etched in our memories. Schumacher’s emotional announcement that he would retire at the end of the season.

As an F1 fan born into the Schumacher era, it is difficult for me to fathom Formula One without him. I remember the first time that I ever saw him pump his fists in the air after a race win for Benetton, the first victory leap that I ever saw, the first time I saw him conduct the Italian national anthem for Ferrari, the first Driver’s Title that he won at Ferrari. And the four that he won after that. Sure I remember Adelaide in ’94, and Jerez in ’97, but you know what I would not have it any other way. He said it himself, “It has been an exceptional, really exceptional time. What motorsport in more than 30 years has given to me... I really loved every single moment of the good and the bad ones...those ones that make life special.”
And he is right. We loved every single moment too – the good, the bad and the ones that make life special.

What more can we ask of Michael Schumacher? He has broken every record there is. He has given so much to motor sport. He has inspired young children world over to become racers and Formula One journalists. He has accomplished everything that he possibly can and set records that astound the world. He deserves to rest after such a phenomenal career.

Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and even Fernando Alonso might have won Driver’s Titles, but there is a lot more to being a World Champion than that. Here’s to Michael Schumacher – a World Champion in the truest sense.

Vaishali