Bye bye Schumi...

In racing, he will always be my hero....

From The Straits Times

Farewell Schumi
German star thanks fans, Ferrari family for their support after his final race

SAO PAOLO - WHEN the end finally came, Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was left struggling for words.

His glorious career had come to a dramatic end at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.

'Today, my racing career comes to an end,' said the German star. 'Obviously it's a special moment for me and I am proud to have lived my career with some fantastic people - namely everyone who is a part of the Ferrari family.

'There is so much to say - I can't find the right words.

'The things I will miss are probably the fans. In every moment, they have been behind me and have always supported me.

'Their support helped me perform, especially in moments when it was difficult.

'Over the years, that was immensely important. I can only say thank you to those people and those fans.'

The seven-time world champion finished his career with one of his most stirring drives. He started in 10th place and worked his way up to finish fourth and just off the podium.

But he still managed to find a metaphor to end his 15 years of extraordinary racing.

'In a way, it's a closed circle now for me because my Formula One career started and finished after 500 metres which was, maybe, a symbol of what happened on Sunday.'

His words referred to his first race and his last, which were hit by problems thatwrecked his hopes of victory.

But his actions on the track spoke volumes for his talent, speed, courage and determination as he stormed from the back of the field after a puncture.

'The race was chaotic, I think that's the right word,' he said, as rival and second-time champion Fernando Alonso began his celebrations.

Alonso finished second behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa, but it was enough to give him the drivers' championship.

Said Schumacher: 'We really had a superb car. From the pure speed, we could have lapped everybody.

'So I have to say it was the perfect end to the season in terms of car performance. But for me, it didn't work out well.'

He needed to win his final race to keep alive his remote chance of another title.

But he punctured a tyre less than 10 laps into the race, dropped into last place, and finally finished fourth.

His plight brought tears to grown men in his hometown in Kerpen, Germany.

Around 750 fans watched the Brazil Grand Prix on giant television screens, many with faces painted in Ferrari colours.

'It's just so sad, sad, sad,' said one weeping middle-aged man after Schumacher suffered his punctured tyre.

'Formula One without Schumacher is over,' added another heavy-set man who was also in tears at the crowded sports arena near Cologne.

Schumacher won his last five world championships driving for Ferrari, for which he also helped win six constructors' titles from 1999-2004.

He added that his best memory was his win in 2000.

He said: 'We had a lot of hard work and setbacks, so when we finally won it, it was the most beautiful championship.'

Any regrets?

'There were things I would do differently. But if I went into that, it would get too intense and we don't have time right now.

'But there is the song 'My Way' and I think that is true right now.

'My dad was happy to see me after the race and he said: 'Finally, it's over'.'

'He was quite happy. I feel more relaxed although I think his heart rate was higher during the race than mine.'

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel paid tribute to the driver, calling him one of the 'real greats of German sport'.

She said that Schumacher was helped by 'what are called German virtues in sport: hard work, meticulous preparation and, above all, the absolute will to make it.'

She added that he 'enriched his sport with a touch of genius'.