Chronology of Schumacher's retirement

Sep 10, 2006, 16:04 GMT

Monza, Italy - Speculation over the future of seven-time Formula One motor-racing world champion Michael Schumacher has been rife all season. The following is a chronology of the developments this year.

January 9: For the first time in public Schumacher lays down conditions for the continuation of his career. 'The car has to be competitive. If I don't have a chance of winning races and challenging for the title I don't think I would feel like continuing my career,' he told the German news magazine Spiegel.

April 29: Ferrari and parent company Fiat head Luca di Montezemolo says Schumacher wants to continue another season. He suggests it would be better if Schumacher signs for a further two years. 'He has to be clear on whether he still wants to race in Formula One in 2008,' he told the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

May 9: Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, says the German won't make a decision before the Spanish Grand Prix, the third Grand Prix of the season in Europe. He suggests a decision could fall in July.

May 11: Ferrari says Schumacher can decide on his future at the end of the season. 'I am grateful for this,' he says. 'For such a difficult decision you cannot have enough time.'

May 14: Ferrari team chief Jean Todt says the team will probably make a statement on its 2007 drivers at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on September 10. Monza is the traditional race for major team announcements.

July 27: Schumacher says before the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim that his decision would not be linked to him winning his eighth drivers' title this season. It would depend 'on other things,' he tells the German weekly Die Zeit.

August 2: Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claims to know Schumacher's decision - he will quit. 'The decision has been difficult for Schumacher but it has been carefully considered,' it wrote. Manager Weber denies the report.

August 3: Weber advises Schumacher to retire. The decision will probably be taken by Schumacher while on holiday after the Hungarian Grand Prix, it is said. 'At the moment he is giving no thoughts to his future but is thinking only about the next race in Budapest. After all, he wants to be world champion,' Weber says.

August 25: Holiday over and the Turkish Grand Prix coming up, Schumacher is still giving nothing away. It appears he can't make up his mind. 'There is nothing to report ... no decision has been made,' he says. There is still two weeks to consider things. 'Maybe I'll have even more time,' he says.

September 1: Ferrari announces it will make a press statement after the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in which it will name its drivers for the 2007 season.

September 4: Schumacher says he won't make any statements until after the Grand Prix in Monza on Sunday in order to focus fully on the race. 'We announced last week that it (the decision) will be made on Sunday following the race because we want to do our best in focusing on the race, and of course I'm sticking to this agreement,' he says.

September 6: 'Schumi to quit' says Germany's mass-circulation Bild newspaper on its front page. No further comment from the Schumacher camp.

September 10: Schumacher announces he is to retire at the end of the season after winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, a result that sees Fernando Alonso of Renault's championship lead cut to two points with three races remaining.

'I've decided with the rest of the team that I am going to retire,' he says. 'I've really loved every single moment.'