Michael Schumacher is retiring from Formula One racing again— and this time, he says, "it might be forever."
Unable to duplicate the success of his prime, the seven-timeF1 champion announced Thursday he will retire at the end of the season,bringing an end to the most decorated career the sport has seen.
Mercedes announced last week that Schumacher would bereplaced by Lewis Hamilton next season, and while there was speculation the43-year-old German could move to Sauber, he confirmed that he would end hisracing career.
"Basically, I've decided to retire at the end of theyear," Schumacher said at the Japanese Grand Prix. "Although I wasable and capable of competing with the best drivers that are around, at somepoint it's time to say goodbye and this time it might be forever."
Schumacher holds the record for championships and grand prixwins, with 91. He began his career in 1991 and won two titles with Benetton,then five for Ferrari. He initially retired in 2006, but came back to drive forMercedes in 2010. The comeback has not lived up to expectations, with just onepodium finish.
"It's without doubt that we did not achieve our goalsto develop a world championship fighting car," Schumacher said. "Butit is also very clear I can be happy with my overall achievements."
Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn paid tribute to Schumacher.Brawn was also chief strategist at Ferrari when Schumacher and the Italian teambecame so dominant that the sport's authorities made several rule changes to spiceup the level of competition.
"He's the most courageous racing driver of thecentury," Brawn said. "And I feel very privileged to have worked withMichael from the beginning."
Schumacher said he hasn't decided what he will do after theseason, saying he just wants to focus on the final six races. He has struggledthis season, and was issued a 10-place grid penalty at Suzuka for causing aspectacular crash with Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne during the Singapore GP.
"There is no point in the need to make any decisionsright now," Schumacher said. "I have options obviously but whateverit will be will be made in time."
Schumacher acknowledged he considered retiring even beforethe announcement of Hamilton's move to Mercedes.
"During the past month I was not sure if I still hadthe motivation and energy which is necessary to go on," Schumacher said."It is not my style to do something which I am not 100 percent feelingfor."
Schumacher holds the record for the most races won in asingle season, with 13 in 2004. In 2002, he became the only driver in F1history to finish in the top three in every race of a season, and set therecord for most consecutive podium finishes.
Even though his comeback didn't work out the way he wanted,Schumacher said he learned a lot from the experience.
"Over the past six years I have learned a lot,"Schumacher said. "For example, you can open yourself without losing focus,that losing can be both more difficult and instructive than winning which issomething I lost sight of in the early years."