A once-in-a-decade weekend for Formula One as the most successful driver in the sport today – and of all time – retires. Take a look at how the British press reacted to the retirement of Michael Schumacher.
Formula One should get this much coverage every Grand Prix weekend…
Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport
Headline | Schumacher pulls over for charity Schumacher walks away with win Schumacher heads for the exit with one last drivers’ title in his sights Schumacher legend will be tainted by mistakes No sport has seen a harder worker than man who got Ferrari in shape |
They say | “He has kept celebrity magazines at arm’s length and his donations would have gone almost unnoticed but for research by BusinessF1 magazine. They found that Schumacher had contributed to the building of hospitals, orphanages and schools.” |
We say | James Allen concludes his piece: “Will history revere his prowess or judge his harshly for his weaknesses? I think the former.” |
Verdict |
Headline | World championship fixed, say Briatore Schumacher win brings eighth and final title closer New role at Ferrari in the offing Virtuoso and villain, this champion combined cheap tactics with raw genius |
They say | “He overstayed his welcome by a year, maybe two.” |
We say | The Guardian gave prominence to the Renault backlash |
Verdict |
Headline | Flawed genius Schumacher calls yime on brilliant career Alonso’s grip on title weakened after Ferrari win Gifted and ruthless soulf of Formula One, where winning, fair or foul, is everything ‘He’s been the author of a unique chapter in the history of Formula One’ |
They say | “There was a subtle but perceptible cooling of Schumacher’s elation when he was embraced by the Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo. This inevitably triggered fresh suspicion that Schumacher had been made fretful by the Italian team’s rush to sign Kimi Raikkonen.” |
We say | It has a credible ring, but it will be some time before anyone knows if it is true. He certainly had no compunction about snuggling up to Raikkonen on the podium. |
Verdict |
Headline | Schumacher exits at peak of his powers Tifosi pay homage to their German master Hamilton on course for F1 |
They say | “Even in his home town of Krakow, Kubica’s momentous performance was a footnote on a day as portentous as this.” |
We say | As the old generation departs, the new breed take over. |
Verdict |
Headline | A golden goodbye Lewis passes toughest test Row |
They say | “The hottest talent in motorsport picked up ?âÔÇÜ£66,000 after becoming the first Brit since Justin Wilson in 2001 to win the F1 feeder series crown.” |
We say | That’s not Fernando Alonso or Michael Schumacher, of course – That’s Lewis Hamilton. |
Verdict |
Headline | Schuey quits in triumph |
They say | “Schumacher said he took the decision to retire after winning at Indianapolis in July.” |
We say | Intriguingly, that was when he first looked like winning the title… |
Verdict |
Headline | Goodbye from him Triumphant to the last Hamilton lined up to partner Alonso |
They say | “The Spaniard, who retired with an engine failure, said: ‘I don’t consider Formula One to be a sport any longer’. On another day, that would have been some story.” |
We say | It was no fit of pique though – he was standing by his remarks this morning. |
Verdict |
Headline | Schuey to go out at top Emotions spill over for Schuey “Winning here was amazing” Hamilton waiting |
They say | “His desire to win has always been chased closely by a fear of losing and a love of his family.” |
We say | The Express gave it the most meagre coverage – one page, scarcely any more than usual. |
Verdict |
Headline | Bubbly & strife Walker: he is great survivor |
They say | “In reality the German was undecided and Ferrari railroaded him into a decision by signing Kimi Raikkonen.” |
We say | The Mirror ‘predicted’ Shumacher’s retirement on September 7th. |
Verdict |
Headline | Now is the right time to go, says Schuey Schuey: I can’t be another also-ran Briatore fumes at ‘fixed title race’ |
They say | “Ninety wins into his career, Micael Schumacher has decide to quit.” |
We say | I always thought he’d make it past one hundred. But for 2005, he probably would have. |
Verdict |