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The Week in Germany: Sports

September 8, 2006

“A Decision has been Made”: Will Formula 1 Star Michael Schumacher Call it Quits After Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix?

Michael Schumacher, who dominated Formula 1 racing for over a decade, has made a decision about whether to step down after this season, according to his manager Willi Weber in a statement to dpa. Although Schumacher hasn’t said publicly whether he will sit behind the wheel again in 2007, the German papers Bild and Stern both claim to know that the 37 year-old Schumacher will quit, citing unnamed sources.

All eyes on Schumi: But the champion won't announce his decision until after Sunday's race. Photo: dpa

The Schumacher camp has remained tightlipped about the decision, saying that an announcement before Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix in Monza would distract it from the race. Ferarri will announce its 2007 drivers lineup after the race. It is still uncertain whether Schumacher, who ended a 21 year win drought for the Italians in 2000, will be on the list. In any case, Sunday’s revelation will end a season of speculation about a Schumacher retirement.

To win on Sunday, Schumacher and Co. certainly can’t afford any distraction. The Spanish title holder Fernando Alonso who drives for Renault has a 12-point lead over Schumacher, and the Renault team leads Ferrari by two points in the constructors’ title contest. Even if Schumacher wins four of the next four races, Alonso could still beat him by taking second each time.

Schumacher is “absolutely confident” he can win, he told dpa. “As we have done several times in past years, we are coming to Monza with several points to catch up, and our minds set on doing it.”

In 16 years behind the wheel, Schumacher has broken nearly every important record in the Sport and won 7 world championship titles. This has endeared the lantern-jawed German motorsports legend to fans across the world, especially the passionate Italian formula one fans known as the “tifosi.” At a traditional soccer match featuring the Monza drivers and Italian TV personalities, fans held up signs that said, “Michael. Please just think it over. Italy worships you.”

Links:

Michael Schumacher: Official Homepage

Michael Schumacher Races into Formula 1 History (from Germany.info)

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