GERMANY: MOTOR RACING - Michael Schumacher's home town rof Kerpen eacts to news of his planned retirement from Formula One

Michael Schumacher's decision to retire from the Formula One driving at the end of the current season saddened his fans in his hometown of Kerpen in western Germany on Sunday (September 10). Schumacher, the most successful Formula One driver of all time, announced on his decision minutes after winning the Italian Grand Prix. It was not clear what future role Schumacher might take with Ferrari but the team said that they would 'define' his role at the end of the year. The German has won an unprecedented seven titles during a career which has seen him set a long list of records, including most wins, pole positions, podium finishes, fastest laps and wins in a season. Schumacher is currently second in the championship, just two points behind Renault's Fernando Alonso. Finland's Kimi Raikkonen and Brazilian Felipe Massa will race for Ferrari next season, the team said. Back home in Kerpen, the victory was watched by fans packed into a bar dedicated to the town's most famous son. Richard Schnock, who said he was a friend of the driver, lamented: "I'm not just a little sad but actually very sad. To us, who know him so well and have seen him race so many times it is the end of an era, especially to me personally as I know Michael so well. "That is just the way it is. What Michael offered us racing wise is just totally super. There is nothing more I can say, I am just unbelievably sad, but that's life and life goes on." Others were just as sad but also philosophical. "It is sad, it would have been nice had he raced a few more years. But there is nothing one can do, it is his decision," said one man. "It sure is sad in way, we look at it with a crying eye. I am a great Schumacher Fan, not just because of Kerpen but also when it was not going so well for him," said another. "It is sad and a pity but it's understandable. The man is old enough, he has attained everything that could be attained, he is a great racing driver. I can understand his decision," added another. The town is where the young Schumacher learned how to drive, on the kart racing track once owned by his parents.

ITN Source | September 11, 2006

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