7-time champion Michael Schumacher to retire from F1 again
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Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany stands in his garage at the Suzuka circuit on Oct 4, 2012, ahead of Sunday's Japanese F1 Grand Prix. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
SUZUKA, Japan, (REUTERS) - Seven-time world Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is to retire from the sport for the second time at the end of the season, the German driver told reporters ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix on Thursday.
His Mercedes team announced last week that he would be replaced by Briton Lewis Hamilton for the start of the 2013 campaign, leaving the 43-year-old without a drive, but rather than looking for another seat elsewhere, the German decided to call it a day.
"I have decided to retire at the end of the year," he told a packed crowd of journalists gathered around the team's hospitality area at the Suzuka circuit.
