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Schumi : 'It's simply the last'

Mercedes' Michael Schumacher is somewhat disappointed that he won’t be fighting for the title in his final Formula 1 GP.

The 43-year-old German will end his career (for the second time) at the last race of the season in Sao Paulo, Brazil, after announcing his retirement from F1 early in October, 2012.

'SIMPLY MY LAST RACE'

Schumacher said: "It would be a special race if there was still something at stake but this way it will simply be my last race."

Sao Paulo was also the venue of Schumacher's final race ahead of his first retirement in 2006 but at that time he still had a chance of winning the title. At the time I had a car with which I could win and I was still fighting for the title."

This time around, with only the Indian GP and races in Abu Dhabi, US (Austin) and the season-ending Sao Paulo GP remaining, Schumacher is 14th in the standings on 43 points - far behind compatriot Sebastian Vettel on 215. Even though the German’s chance of winning the Drivers' title long since disappeared, he'll leave F1 with pride knowing he never gave up.
"I could have pulled out any stage during my three years with the team."

He admitted that he originally wanted to return to the sport only for two years. "I thought it would be enough time to win the World championship."

MISHAP JOKES

It has always been clear that he would not give up during this 2012 season, which has been marred by withdrawals and accidents. "It is not in my make-up to throw in the towel," Schumacher said.

The seven-times World champion seems more relaxed since he announced his retirement, seemingly joking about his criticised mishaps. "I wanted to arrive at the news media conference in Suzuka, where I said that I would be retiring, with a white cane.

"This in response to all the questions whether I needed glasses or whether I was night-blind," the 91-times GP winner, who crashed into the back of Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne at the most recent night race in Singapore, said.

It was the third time in a row that Schumacher had crashed in Singapore.
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