In pictures: The Formula One career of Michael Schumacher

German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher drives his Benetton-Ford during the 2nd practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix 19 October 1991. Schumacher clashed in a high speed turn in the session, clocked 1' 38.363 to clinch the 9th starting position. AFP PHOTO/TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA

Michael Schumacher battles with Williams Renault driver Damon Hill, at the Japanese Grand Prix, in 1994 during their fight for the world title. Pascal Rondeau/Allsport

The two collided resulting in both being eliminated from the race. Mark Brock/ AP Photo

The result of the acident was that Michael Schumacher won his first world title. Mike Hewitt/Allsport

Damon Hill, left, tries to dive down the inside of Michael Schumacher at the Australian Grand Prix 1994, the last round of the season. Crispin Thruston / Action Images CONTRACT CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL FEES MAY APPLY - PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUN???

It was more of the same in 1995, as Michael Schumacher won nine races to retain his world title ahead of Damon Hill. Dusan Vranic / AP Photo

Michael Schumacher joined Ferrari from 1996, and he missed out on the world title in 1997 after colliding with Jacques Villeneuve's William-Renault, giving the Canadian the championship.

A brake failure at the British Grand Prix in 1999 left Michael Schumacher with a broken leg and ended his title hopes for that season. Max Nash / AP Photo

Michael Schumacher made his debut for the Jordan team at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1991. Pascal Rondeau /Allsport

Michael Schumacher celebrates becoming in 2000 the first Ferrari drivers world champion since 1979, as he picked up his third crown. Patrick Hertzog / AFP

Michael Schumacher dominated the 2001 season and won it in Hungary, with four races to spare. Attila Kisbenedek / EPA

Michael Schumacher enjoyed a strong union at Ferrari with team principal Jean Todt, centre, and teammate Rubens Barrichello, left. Allsport

Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and the Ferrari team came under heavy criticism in 2002 after the team ordered the Brazilian to allow the German to pass on the last lap of the Austrian Grand Prix to take the win. Tom Shaw / Getty Images

Michael Schumacher, centre, was in dominant form in 2004 as he won a record 13 races and collected the last of his seven world titles. Oliver Weiken / EPA

The Chinese Grand Prix in 2006 was the scene of the last of Michael Schumacher's 91 race wins. Eugene Hoshiko / AP Photo

Michael Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season, but returned at the start of 2010 to partner Nico Rosberg, left, at Mercedes GP and to work again with team principal Ross Brawn, centre. Vladimir Rys / Getty Images

Formula One World Championship

Michael Schumacher, right, came in for heavy criticism from the F1 community after squeezing Rubens Barrichello's Williams dangerously close to the wall in Hungary.

Michael Schumacher has decided to retire from Formula One at the end of the 2012 season, with his last race being in Brazil next month. Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

Michael Schumacher's pace improved in 2011 and 2012, but errors such as hitting the back of Jean-Eric Vergne in Singapore continue to dog him. Robert Cianflone / Getty Images