Highlights

Italy laps up emotion of Schumacher's retirement

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-09-12 08:24

MILAN, Sept 11 - Italian motor racing fans never truly took Michael Schumacher to their hearts but they have realised what they will be missing when the celebrated Ferrari driver bows out at the end of this season.

Schumacher announced on Sunday, shortly after winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, that he would call it a day after the final race of this year's championship.

The seven times world champion is the most successful Formula One driver in history having broken a series of records.

But while Italian fans lapped up the years of triumph for Ferrari and their German driver, Schumacher was never really adored in the way many sportsmen are in the country.

Schumacher was perceived as cold and had not learnt enough Italian and while there is nothing the local fans respect more than a winner they also want their champions to be 'simpatico'.

The German has tried to fit the role -- his language in media appearances in Italy changed over the years to reflect the Italian wish for emotion, commitment and sentimentality.

It always appeared a little forced but on Sunday he showed genuine emotion at the reaction of the most passionate fans who poured on to the track to salute his last victory in Italy.

ITALIAN GRATITUDE

The response to his retirement was straightforward gratitude for the success he has brought an Italian sporting institution.

"Grazie Schumi" was the headline in Monday's Corriere dello Sport while Gazzetta dello Sport switched languages to lead with "Danke Schumi".

But the Italian media also did not waste the opportunity to highlight the emotional nature of Sunday's race and the decision that followed it.

"The cold champion is now fragile," said Corriere della Sera in an article noting how Schumacher's personality was always much more human than the image built up of the ruthless winner.