Formula One news

Berger tells Schumi to quit

Austrian F1 legend Gerhard Berger has told Michael Schumacher he should retire at the end of the current season. Speaking to F1Racing.net Berger said: "It is time for Michael to step down. Should he win the title this season, it would even be perfect timing."

Berger, once Schum's rival on the track, added: "He has been in the circuit for a long time and is starting to age. All of us had to fight that phenomenon and one day it is simply time to quit."

The former Ferrari, McLaren and Benetton driver claimed that Schumacher's latest on-track duels indicated how hard he was fighting to keep up with the pace of talented youngsters like Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld. 

"Michael would give his right arm to win the title and as long as there is a theoretical chance, he will keep on battling. Particularly, now that Bridgestone's quantum leap has made the title race wide open again," Berger said.

The Austrian, who was the last driver to sign a deal with great Enzo Ferrari, is certain that the 37-year-old German was 'ready to say good-bye,' but would of course try everything possible to step down with an eighth title in his bag. 

Berger drove in Formula One from 1985 until 1997, coming third in the overall standings twice. He then became BMW's motorsport director, before taking over Scuderia Toro Rosso after a three-year break from the sport.

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