F1: Schumacher Relaxed About Final Race

Formula 1

F1: Schumacher Relaxed About Final Race

Michael Schumacher will hang up his driving helmet after Sunday's season finale in Brazil...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted November 22, 2012 Sao Paulo (BRA)

Michael Schumacher is about to retire for the second time from Formula One. (Photo: Getty Images)

Michael Schumacher insists that he’s very relaxed about his second retirement, given that the last time around he was also in the middle of a title fight.

The German runs his last race in Brazil this weekend, some 21 years after his debut at Spa in 1991.

“I guess I have some experience and that’s why, probably, I’m rather relaxed about the happenings,” the Mercedes driver said. “On top [of that], we are not in any championship fight compared to last time that happened to me, obviously. Well, I’ll just take the best out of it and enjoy it as much as I can.

“I have tried that mission to end successful. It didn’t work this time but I’m quite happy to finish from here and go for a different life again.”

Asked about his long career and whether he could recommend it to title contenders Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, his fellow German, Schumacher said simply that he was surprised that it had lasted.

“I don’t think we have long enough here to sum it up, but let’s put it that way – it was mostly 20 good years and lots of fun and lots of excitement,” the seven-time champion said. “I just remember when I was in the early days, I said if you’re going to do this four or five years, that’s going to be probably most of it, and then I will be tired and I can’t see myself longer than this. Obviously, it became almost 21 years. I’m pretty sure it’s difficult for those guys to imagine that longer time ahead, but let’s see.”

Regarding the 2012 title contenders, Schumacher said: “Obviously with Fernando, I have had quite a few more years together competing and fighting championships. Obviously, that is slightly different in this respect, it was tough moments. I mean, he was unfortunately in quite a few moments looking very strong and doing too good a job, honestly – should have taken it easy and looked after the old man!

“But on Seb’s side, we’ve been friends for a long time and I sort of follow his career into Formula One, and seeing him doing so well obviously makes me proud. We’ve both grown up on my home track in Kerpen, and to see from where he started, to end up and kind of being dominant for quite a while recently, that’s quite an achievement.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.