• Indian Grand Prix

Schumacher not expecting to end on a high

ESPN Staff
October 28, 2012 « Hulkenberg achieves Force India 'maximum' | Lotus confirms Raikkonen will stay in 2013 »
Michael Schumacher retired from his eighth race of the season in India © Press Association
Enlarge
Related Links

Michael Schumacher is not expecting a competitive end to his Formula One career after retiring from his eighth race of the season at the Indian Grand Prix with gearbox concerns.

Schumacher's race was ruined on the first lap when he suffered a puncture due to contact with Jean-Eric Vergne at the first corner. He continued to race for another 54 laps before his team called him in as a precaution after noticing some gearbox issues.

"We have done 17 races and we have had eight retirements, so [nearly] 50% retirements," Schumacher said after the race. "Well, that's not a statistic we are used to - certainly not. But obviously we retired the car for precaution reasons but it was all done by the first corner."

Asked if he could end his Formula One career on a high, with his retirement scheduled for the end of the season, Schumacher said: "It would be nice, very clearly. But I'm not expecting it and I'm not very sentimental about it.

"As long as I can fight for top positions then I do my job as much as I can and I try to help the team and get things ready for them for next year as much as possible. But other than that, it's kind of a normal job."

Schumacher was investigated by the stewards for blocking cars under blue flags but was not punished.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close