Initially, the German quit the sport in 2006 after experiencing a couple of years of decline. Previously, he’d won five titles on the trot – a record that still stands.
Yet he then returned for another crack at the sport with Mercedes in 2010.
By that time, however, Schumacher was past his best. That’s certainly understandable, especially given how he’d had four years out of the sport.
Schumacher announced his decision to retire, this time for good, in 2012 after finishing 13th in the standings.
He recognised his own decline at the time, saying: “It is probably not a complete surprise to explain a little bit on how my thoughts are on this. Basically I have decided to retire by the end of the year.
“Although I am still able and capable to compete with the best drivers that are around, at some point it is good to say goodbye – and that is what I am doing this season. This time it might even be forever.