Dramatic Finale

In 15 years of Formula One, he had demonstrated over and again a fearsome competitive instinct and an unbeatable will to win. The statistics that piled up to praise his work were colossal -- seven world titles, five with Ferrari, 68 pole positions and 91 victories.

Michael Schumacher, however, was left struggling for words on Sunday as his career came to a dramatic end at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"Today, my racing career comes to an end and, obviously it's a special moment for me and I am proud to have lived my career with some fantastic people -- namely everyone who is a part of the Ferrari family," said the German star.

"There is so much to say -- I can't find the right words. The things I will miss are probably the fans and in every moment they have been behind me and always supported me."

"Their support helped me perform, especially in moments when it was difficult. Over the years that was immensely important. I can only say thank you to those people and those fans," Schumacher said.

No last victory

The seven-time world champion finished his career with one of his most stirring drives to come home in fourth place, cruelly just off the podium. But he still managed to find a metaphor that brought symmetry to his 15 years of sustained and extraordinary racing.

"In a way, it's a closed circle now for me, because my Formula One career started and finished after 500 meters which was, maybe, a symbol of what happened yesterday."

His words referred to the fact that his first race and his last were hit by problems that wrecked his hopes of victory. But his actions on the track in his Ferrari spoke volumes for his talent, speed, courage and determination as he stormed from the back of the field, after a puncture, to finish fourth.

A dramatic race

"The race was chaotic, I think that's the right word," he said, as rival and second-time champion Fernando Alonso began his celebrations, having finished second behind his Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa.

"We really had a superb car today from the pure speed we could have lapped everybody. So I have to say it was the perfect end to the season in terms of car performance, but for me it didn't work out well."

Schumacher offered warm congratulations to Massa for his first triumph on Brazilian soil.

"I'm very happy for Felipe who drove an amazing race," he said. "It's great for him to be the first Brazilian to win at Interlagos since Ayrton Senna. It would have been nice if I could at least have made it to the podium alongside him. I would also like to congratulate Fernando."

A Teutonic machine

In his brilliant career, the man from the flatlands of Kerpen in northern Germany had become a Teutonic machine, a human delivery system of speed and points and glory in a sport unused to such high standards of regularity, human reliability and sheer professionalism.

Tributes poured in from September onwards, after he had announced his intention to retire at the season's end. Some were warm and loving, some were barbed and tinged with envy and some reflected a failure to understand that Formula One was bringing down the curtain on the greatest and most complete driver ever to have raced in a Grand Prix.

Schumacher said his best memory was his title win in 2000.

"We had a lot of hard work and setbacks so when we finally won it, it was the most beautiful championship," said Schumacher.

He added he did have regrets.

"There were things I would do differently, but if I went into that it would get too intense and we don't have time right now. My dad was happy to see me after the race and he said: 'Finally, it's over.'"

"He was quite happy. I feel more relaxed although I think his heart rate was higher in the race than mine," Schumacher said.