McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton is to replace the seven-time world champion at Mercedes from next year.
“Although I am still able to compete with the best drivers, at some point it is good to say goodbye,” said the 43-year-old German. “During the past month I was not sure if I still had the motivation and energy which is necessary to go on. It is not my style to do something that I’m not 100% for.
“With today’s decision I feel released from those doubts, and in the end my ambition to fight for victories and the pleasure of driving is nourished by
competitiveness.”
Speculation had linked Schumacher to a move to Sauber, where he began his world championship-level career with the Mercedes-backed Swiss-team’s endurance prototype squad in 1990, but that proved wide of the mark.
He won his first title with Benetton in 1994 and repeated the feat the following year.He claimed five straight titles between 2000 and 2004, before retiring for a first time in 2006. After three years away from the sport, he made a comeback with Mercedes in 2010.