Thank you Michael Schumacher !

Michael Schumacher's position as a Formula One icon, the most successful driver in the history of the sport, is assured. He is one of the greats, a figure who transcends his sporting arena as a global celebrity familiar even to those far removed from the world of motor racing.

A generation of fans has grown up watching Schumacher punch the air as he performs his familiar victory leap, fans who have admired his skill in the rain at Spa and celebrated alongside him in his native Germany.

Schumacher will not be forgotten, not by his enemies and certainly not by the Ferrari faithful thronging the historic Monza circuit for his European farewell. The German is a monument of sporting discipline, exemplar family life combined with exceptional will and talent. He will always remain in the anals of Formula 1 history and in the hearts of his fans as the greatest Formula 1 pilot ever. Thank you Michael Schumacher!

RECORD WINNER

The German has been a winner like no other. The bare facts are incontestable: a record 90 victories after Sunday's triumph at Monza, five successive titles for Ferrari and more points, pole positions and podiums than anyone else in history.

Schumacher has excelled at being in the right place at the right time, and almost always in the best car. He has also been the architect of his own success by building a strong team around him. Praised by all the mechanics at Ferrari, the German has always known how to find the perfect setup for his car, using his knowledge as a former garage mechanic and his unique sense for the car, combined with never-ending testlaps on every circuit. Even from the mechanic’s point of view he was the perfect pilot.

The son of a bricklayer, who now owns a go-kart circuit in Kerpen near Cologne, Schumacher was born in Huerth-Hermuelheim on Jan. 3, 1969.

The man who would go on to become Germany's first and so far only Formula One world champion started karting at the age of four in a machine built by father Rolf and powered by a lawnmower engine.

He made his debut in a Jordan at Spa in 1991.

The former garage mechanic was an instant hit, snapped up immediately afterwards by Flavio Briatore's Benetton and taking his first win at Spa in 1992.

That was followed by a first championship with Benetton in 1994 after Brazilian Senna was killed at Imola.

After a second title in 1995, Schumacher left for Ferrari to seal his fame and establish a new era for the glamour Italian team.

In 2000 he secured Ferrari's first driver's title in 21 years and the pressure came off with four more in a row. Few would rule out an eighth crown before he goes.

Michael Schumacher F1 CV

Name: Michael Schumacher

Born: 03/01/69 in Huerth-Hermuelheim

Status: Married to Corinna

Children: 2 – Gina Maria (9) and Mick (7)

GP debut: Belgium 1991

1st win: Belgian GP 1992

1st Pole: Monaco 1994

1st fastest lap: Belgium 1992

Starts: 247

Wins: 90

Poles: 68

Fastest laps: 75

Points: 1354

World titles: 7 (1994, 95, 2000, 01, 02, 03, 04)

Teams: Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari