Final Schu retirement ’years too late’ - Briatore

Flavio Briatore has backed his former Benetton charge Michael Schumacher’s decision to quit formula one for good.

Having taken the then young German to his first two titles, watched him become ultra-successful at Ferrari and then somewhat dent his prestige at Mercedes, Italian Briatore thinks Schumacher’s is a good call not to return in 2013 with a midfield team.

"Schumacher has made a smart decision," he is quoted by German media, "although several years too late."

Some, however, think Schumacher really made no decision at all, having been ousted in favour of Lewis Hamilton and with his only real options for 2013 being Sauber or perhaps Williams.

Former driver Alex Wurz thinks it is a callous end to a great career.

"The fact that Mercedes did not wait with the announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s transfer, allowing Schumi an honourable exit, shows how merciless this business is," the Austrian told Speed Week.