| The era of Michael Schumacher, the seven times | | | | after his triumphant win at Monza was to walk |
| world champion of Formula One racing finally | | | | over to his mechanics and other team members |
| came to an end in Brazil on Sunday 22nd Oct | | | | to give them a hug and words of appreciation. |
| 2006. He is regarded as one of the most | | | | Brawn comments: "He took his involvement with |
| successful drivers of all time. What are the | | | | the team and his work with the engineers to a |
| secrets of his success? | | | | new level. It is not unusual for him to be here to |
| Perhaps the main secret is his ability to prioritize. | | | | 10 or 11 on Saturday night." |
| He decides on his main goal in life and then | | | | Eddie Jordan agrees: "Very few people that I |
| pursues it with enormous commitment. | | | | have ever come across spend as much time as |
| On Sunday, 10th September 2006, I left my | | | | he does making sure that his car is as perfect as |
| house for a walk just as the Formula One race at | | | | it can be." |
| Monza, the home circuit of Ferrari, was beginning. | | | | A Formula One driver cannot be a champion |
| Schumacher was one of the favorites to win. I | | | | without a great car and a great team of people |
| wanted to watch the race but my priority was | | | | to service and maintain it. He also needs the help |
| exercise. | | | | of expert strategists like Ross Brawn, the master |
| As expected, Michael won the race and then | | | | mind behind many of his victories. |
| announced his retirement from Formula One. One | | | | There were tears in the Ferrari garage as they |
| probable reason for his retirement is that he feels | | | | contemplated the end of Schumacher's racing |
| that he cannot give his racing career the time and | | | | career but not every one in motor sport was |
| effort it demands. | | | | tearful. As you might expect, the rivals of Ferrari |
| His priority may now be his family and other key | | | | were not shedding any tears at his departure! |
| aspects of his life. He owns several houses in | | | | The head of the Renault opposition - Flavio |
| pleasant locations and will be able to give his | | | | Briatore - was asked how much he would miss |
| family a rich and varied life. His annual income of | | | | Schumacher. His reply was brief and to the point: |
| about 30 million dollars should mean that he will | | | | "I won't miss him at all!" |
| never need to work again. | | | | Recently, on a website dedicated to persuading |
| He has made motor racing his priority for the last | | | | Schumacher to stay, a dissenting voice managed |
| thirty years and Formula One has been his priority | | | | to escape the censors: |
| for the last fifteen years. This must be one of | | | | "Go now, and take that useless brother with you." |
| the main reasons for his success. A Jack of all | | | | Some of his fellow drivers felt that his desire to |
| trades is master of none. | | | | win sometimes took him over the edge of |
| Jenson Button, a thoughtful British driver, believes | | | | fairness. Brawn admits that but feels that being |
| that Schumacher is as good as ever, but thinks | | | | willing to go over the edge is what makes him a |
| that he has reached a point in his life when racing | | | | world champion. |
| cars is no longer a priority: | | | | Schumacher has several enemies but few can |
| "I don't think he is on the wane. There comes a | | | | deny his talent and, possibly, genius. Martin Brundle |
| time when you need more in your life. Formula | | | | was his racing team mate for several years: |
| One can't be your whole life." | | | | "I am in awe of his driving skill He still has his |
| Another secret of Michael Schumacher's success | | | | speed and fitness but it is better to stop a year |
| is his fitness. Racing drivers need to be very, | | | | too early than a year too late. He is a good all |
| very fit. Michael is so fit that he can finish a race | | | | rounder and one of the greats of all time." |
| without breaking sweat. | | | | What lessons can we learn from Michael |
| I saw him recently on TV working out on a | | | | Schumacher's Formula One career? |
| kicking bag. His flexibility allowed him to kick high | | | | Decide on your priorities and stick to them until |
| and hard. He also uses weights in his workouts. | | | | you succeed and feel ready to move on to other |
| After he broke his leg badly at the British Grand | | | | things. |
| Prix in 1999, he worked very hard to return to | | | | Work very hard at developing all the skills, |
| fitness. He came back fitter and stronger. | | | | including fitness, which are necessary to achieve |
| "His level of fitness is incredible," says Ross | | | | excellence in your chosen career. It helps if you |
| Brawn, his strategist. | | | | choose a career you have talent for. Sometimes, |
| Murray Walker, the great commentator, | | | | however, hard work can create talent where it |
| pinpointed a third secret to his success as being | | | | did not appear to exist before. It can even turn |
| his 'massive application' to every aspect of his | | | | talent into genius. |
| craft. Working hard at their skills and knowledge | | | | Recognize the importance of teamwork and show |
| can make anyone into a very valuable and | | | | your appreciation of the people that support you |
| well-paid person. | | | | in your career. |
| Murray believes Michael helped turn Ferrari round: | | | | Ignore the comments and lack of respect shown |
| "When Michael joined Ferrari, they were a | | | | you by rivals or enemies and, if you can't ignore |
| struggling team but then Michael and Ferrari began | | | | them, at least don't let them discourage you from |
| one of the most impressive comebacks in | | | | pursuing your chosen course. |
| Formula One history. But it would be hard work." | | | | Retire when you are at the top of your game. |
| Button commented on this aspect: | | | | According to the record books, Michael is the |
| "Michael is one of the first to really work in every | | | | greatest driver of all time in Formula One. |
| area you could think of - in training and pushing his | | | | However, some feel that the controversial |
| team as hard as he could. He spent night and day | | | | incidents in his career place him below the great |
| trying to improve the car." | | | | Ayrton Senna who died in 1994 at the San Marino |
| Ross Brawn, Michael's strategist, agreed: | | | | Grand Prix. |
| "His application was at a different level to anyone | | | | Maybe a new, younger driver like Alonso or |
| prior to him both inside the car and outside the | | | | Jensen Button will overtake them both |
| car." | | | | 1,103 . |
| Michael believes in teamwork and his first action | | | | |