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Michael Schumacher has announced that he will retire for a second time at the end of this season.

The  seven-times World Champion joked that this time it would probably be permanent, and said that he just wants to enjoy the last six races of the season. His final race will come in Brazil exactly six years after his first retirement.

Flanked by Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug, Schumacher began by reading from a prepared statement to the assembled media.

“Basically I’ve decided to retire by the end of the year,” he said. “Although I’m still able and capable to compete with the best drivers that are around. But at some point it’s good to say goodbye. And that’s what I’m doing herewith by the end of the season, and it might this time even be forever.

“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% feeling for. With today’s decision I feel release, obviously from those doubts, and in the end my ambition to fight for victories and the pleasure of driving is nourished obviously by competitiveness.

“It is without doubt that we did not achieve our goals to develop a World Championship fighting car. But it is also very clear that I can still be very happy about my overall achievements in the whole time of my career.

“In the past six years I have learned a lot about myself. For example that you can sort of open yourseflf without losing focus, that losing can be both more difficult and more instructive. Sometimes I’ve lost this sort of out of sight in the earlier years, though that you appreciate to be able to do what you love to do, that you should live your convictions, and I was able to do so.”

Michael’s voice showed a clear hint of emotion when he mentioned his wife: “I would obviously like Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, the team, the engineers, all my mechanics for all the trust that they’ve put in those years into myself. But I would also like to thank all of my friends, partners and companions who over many years supported myself. But most of all I’d like to thank Corinna, my family, for always standing by my side, giving me the freedom to live my conviction and sharing my joy. That is very special.

“I would like obviously now to concentrate until the end of the season for the last races, and enjoy them together with you. Let’s have fun – thank you.”

Sergio Perez’s new manager Adrian Fernandez insists that his protégé earned his place at McLaren on merit – and says he is not bringing money to the team.

Former Champcar/IndyCar racer Fernandez worked with Sergio’s father before the future F1 star was even born, and has helped him in the background over the years via his connections with Telmex. He has now formally taken over the management role.

“Sergio is an unbelievable driver and he has earned his place at McLaren,” said Fernandez on his website. “He is not bringing money to the team. He has been hired to race. His performances earned him this position and that made my job easier because people were interested in him.

“The past few weeks have been hectic, but I am extremely proud of this accomplishment for Sergio, for his career and for our country. This is something that began a long, long time ago with Carlos Slim and Telmex – who supported Sergio’s career for many years – and the dream was realized when he joined the Formula One ranks.

“I am very thankful to Carlos and Sergio for letting me be a small part of the team then, and now to be actually taking over Sergio’s management. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help and support of Carlos and Telmex.

“It has been very enjoyable to work with McLaren, and I have to take my hat off to Martin Whitmarsh, team principal, and everyone that we worked with to make this deal possible. It took a lot of work and I was very impressed with the level of professionalism from Martin and his team and I have to thank all of them.

Fernandez also thanked the Sauber team: “We obviously owe a huge amount of thanks to Peter Sauber and his team, who gave Sergio the opportunity to compete in Formula One and show what he can do. I know that Sergio will be putting forth all his effort to finish on the highest note he can for them this year.”

Meanwhile Fernandez said he was looking forward to the new challenge: “For me, it is hard to describe how happy I am. As many of you know, I have been a part of Sergio’s life since he was a kid and his father worked for me for many years.

“He calls me “uncle” and, even though we are not related by blood, it just shows how tight our relationship is. So, to see this all the way through to today’s announcement, to know how bright his future is and to be a part of it puts me in a rare occasion – at a loss for words.

“I have been a successful driver and a successful team owner and now, with this, I hope I can be a successful manager and do a fantastic job for Sergio so he can really dedicate himself to racing and I can take care of the other areas which, to be honest, are the areas that I have been doing all of my life. I think it’s a good combination, and I definitely think we have a potential World Champion in our hands. As I have said, Mexico’s future in Formula 1 is shining brightly.”

Bernie Ecclestone has reignited the debate about turbo engines by suggesting that the changeover from V8s should be postponed or even abandoned.

The new formula is due to start in 2014, having already been postponed once. Although Jean Todt has insisted that won’t happen again Ecclestone has suggested that the FIA president might change his mind.

Ecclestone has made no secret of his opposition to the turbo rules, but his latest statement will cause considerable confusion given that we are only 18 months away from the first race of the new era.

“I listened to the noise of the engines in Maranello the other day, the new engine and the old engine, and even Luca di Montezemolo said it sounded terrible and didn’t like it,” Ecclestone told the Hindustan Times.

He added that Todt “will get rid of it. I think Luca is also saying we should suspend it for two or three years. I think it is sensible to get rid of it and stick with what we have got. It is much cheaper than the new one. It probably could be 30% of the price.”

Meanwhile Australian GP boss Ron Walker, a long time ally of Bernie, said: “The circuits would be appalled if they went ahead with that new engine now, particularly if there is no guarantee the sound will be the same. The circuits will all support Bernie in his quest to keep the same engine because it will mean great savings in the cost burden of running the sport.”

The three engine manufacturers – Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes – are gradually switching their dynos over from V8 use. The consensus is that postponing the turbo formula will still be expensive as the companies will continue to spend on development during the interim.

Grand Prix of America promoter Leo Hindery Jr says he’s proud that the New Jersey race has appeared on the FIA schedule published today.

However he made no comment on the ‘to be confirmed’ status, or Bernie Ecclestone’s recent claim that no contract exists at present.

“I am proud that years of hard work have brought us to this point and we look forward to bringing world-class Formula One racing to New Jersey,” Hindery said in a statement from the venue.

“The support we have had from elected officials like New Jersey Governor Christie and the mayors of Weehawken and West New York, a committed property developer and a great management team has been incredible. They have stuck by us through this process and we owe them our thanks. The Grand Prix of America will be a special and historic race for New Jersey and New York, for the drivers and, most importantly, for the dedicated fans of Formula One racing.

“I became a racer very late in my life. But if you’re committed, passionate and have a great team of people behind you, you’re on the road to success.

“Formula One’s president and chief executive officer, Bernie Ecclestone, has set the highest possible standards for the drivers and their teams, fans, sponsors, and the region we call home. We won’t be satisfied until those standards are met.”

COTA today issued guidance for fans attending the forthcoming US GP, and while much of it makes sense (or is just plain funny), restrictions on photographic equipment may come as a surprise to many.

Here for your interest is exactly what the list says:

“The following items will not be permitted inside the gates of the circuit. In addition to items specifically listed here, other items that may be deemed to present a potential hindrance or threat may also be prohibited.

• Alcoholic Beverages
• Animals (exception for certified service animals)
• Bags or parcels larger than 12X12X20 inches
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, segways, golf carts or other unauthorized means of transportation
• Coolers, thermoses or ice chests
• Distribution of unauthorized promotional or commercial material
• Food and Beverage (Note: sealed, individual, plastic bottles of water are allowed)
• Fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices
• Glass or metal containers of any style
• Illegal substances
• Items that may be deemed a safety hazard or annoyance to participants or guests (balls, Frisbees, balloons, projectiles, horns, radios, bells, whistles, musical instruments, laser pointers, etc.)
• Large, golf-type umbrellas
• Non-collapsible chairs
• Tents or canopies
• Video cameras, still cameras with lenses exceeding 10 inches in length or detachable lenses of any kind, audio recording devices and tripods; no video recording will be allowed
• Weapons of any kind, including guns, knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, nightsticks or other items

The following items will be permitted inside the circuit gates.

• Blankets
• Umbrellas (small, hand-held style)
• Baby strollers
• Portable, collapsible chairs
• Personal camera equipment (e.g. digital cameras, point-and-click digital cameras or film cameras)
• Binoculars

“All bags, purses, backpacks and persons are subject to screening by security personnel. Fans entering Circuit of The Americas should prepare accordingly.

“Smoking will only be allowed in authorized areas. All security measures are subject to change without notice.
“Ticketholders should be aware that there are no provisions for returning banned items to them when such items are left at the race entrances.  Patrons are encouraged to leave all banned items at home or in their vehicles before entering the venue or boarding any of the complimentary shuttle buses transporting ticketholders to Circuit of The Americas.

“Individuals who deliberately attempt to bring banned items through security checkpoints are subject to removal from the facility.”

So now you know…

The 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar was confirmed by the World Motor Sport Council today.

Changes from the version circulated last week include Germany and Belgium both being moved a week forward to separate them from Hungary and Italy respectively, and Korea being slotted in before Japan.

New Jersey remains ‘to be confirmed,’ due to the lack of a contract.

The announcement about Lewis Hamilton’s move to Mercedes gave us no insight at all into how things unfolded with Michael Schumacher – and there is no mention either of retirement plans or a future role with the company.

The only conclusion we can draw is that Schumacher was shown the door – and possibly the very future of the team depended upon Hamilton’s arrival.

The fact that Niki Lauda has been announced as a non-executive chairman of the team suggests that there is no room for Michael in any kind of management role.

It seems that Michael is keen to carry on somewhere else, and he has been linked to Sauber – although an Esteban Gutierrez/Jaime Alguersuari line-up is being mooted for the Swiss team.

In the Mercedes release Schumacher said only: “I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races.”

Meanwhile the management chose its words very carefully.

“I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons,” said Ross Brawn. “His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael.”

“Of course, it takes a great driver to replace such a legendary and successful one as Michael Schumacher,” said Norbert Haug. “Over the past three years, Michael has been a great driver and an exemplary ambassador for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS.

“His experience has been an important factor in guiding the development of our team in Brackley and we extend our sincere thanks to Michael for his loyalty, team play and commitment. We will be working very hard together in order to achieve the best possible results in the remainder of the 2012 season.”

Ross Brawn says that Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will give Mercedes a “dynamic” pairing on the grid in 2013.

Michael Schumacher appears to have been shown the door in order to make way for Hamilton.

“Looking ahead to 2013, I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team,” said Brawn, who also paid tribute to Schumacher. “The arrival of a driver of Lewis’ calibre is a testament to the standing of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One and I am proud that Lewis shares our vision and ambition for the success of the Silver Arrows. I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together.

“Over the past three years, we have been putting in place the foundations and building blocks that are needed to compete regularly for the world championship. Behind the scenes, we have assembled a team that is technically stronger, more experienced and better resourced, thanks to the support of PETRONAS and all of our loyal team partners.

“The potential is now there to match any other team on the grid, which is the minimum standard for a Mercedes-Benz works team. Our task is now to translate that potential into on-track performance for next season and beyond.”

Norbert Haug added: “Mercedes-Benz has supported Lewis throughout his career, from karting, to Formula 3, to our successful partnership with McLaren, and it will be a very nice moment for all of us in the team to see him at the wheel of a works Silver Arrow next season, following in the tradition of British Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix drivers Sir Stirling Moss and Richard Seaman.

“The central task of any racing team is to deliver a car that allows the drivers to fully express their talents. In the 52 races for our works team, we have achieved a number of important milestones, including an historic victory for Nico Rosberg in China this year. We know that it is now time to take the next step, in order to deliver consistent front-running performances in the tradition of the Silver Arrows. Every single person in our team is working with total commitment and focus on achieving this ambition.”

Mercedes has officially confirmed that Lewis Hamilton is joining the team and that Michael Schumacher is leaving.

There is no mention of any retirement plans for the seven-times champion so clearly he is still considering a future in the sport.

“I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side,” said Schumacher. “I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races.”

Lewis Hamilton said: “It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share.

“Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”

McLaren has confirmed that it has signed Sergio Perez to a multi-year deal as replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who is going to Mercedes.

Perez is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and has tested for the Italian team, but he emerged as a potential candidate for McLaren after his superb performance in the Italian GP.

Perez said: “I’m thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver. The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for – I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna’s many world championship triumphs for McLaren – and I’m truly honoured that they’ve chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards.

“I’ve spent the 2012 season working very hard to demonstrate my potential, but I’ve always remained humble and focused. I am, and always will be, extremely grateful to Peter [Sauber] and everybody at the Sauber Formula 1 team for their belief in me, and for giving me the chance to race in Formula 1.

“In fact, they gave me the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what I can do – and I’m now equally grateful to Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for giving me the chance to take this next very big step in my career.

“I’m under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step – as it would be for any driver – but I’m ready for it. So, while I’m still fully focused on doing my best for Sauber for the remainder of this season, I’m already massively looking forward to working with everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and with Jenson, who’s someone I’ve long admired as a brilliant driver and a great champion.

“I’d like to thank Carlos Slim Jr, who has helped me since I was 14 years old, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today. Our journey together over the past eight years has been an incredible one, and I’ll do everything in my power to deliver with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the results that he and I have been working so hard and so long to achieve together.

“As I say, I’ve worked very hard to get to this stage in my career, and I’m now massively looking forward to this next even more exciting stage. It’s fantastic that all the sacrifices I’ve made are now paying off. For example, I remember very clearly the first day I left my family, when I was 15, to live in Germany to race in Formula BMW. It was tough for me – I was sleeping in a restaurant at that time – but the dream of one day becoming a Formula 1 driver kept me going through those difficult days.

“Finally, I’d like to thank my beloved family, who’ve encouraged me at every turn, and last but far from least the people of Mexico, my home country, whose magnificent support I’ll do my very best to reward with future successes with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.”

Martin Whitmarsh said: “On behalf of everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I’m delighted to welcome Sergio on board. His performances throughout 2012 have convinced us that he’s an extremely exciting prospect for the future.

“It was a string of giant-killing performances, a trio of podiums and a brilliant fastest lap in this year’s Monaco Grand Prix that showed us that Sergio lacks nothing in terms of speed and commitment. We’ve been monitoring his progress carefully for some months – and, now that he’s become part of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, our task will be to refine and develop his abilities as his career progresses over the coming years.

“Uniting Sergio alongside Jenson will give us a very broad base of driver ability. Jenson is one of motorsport’s greatest ambassadors, and his unique blend of prodigious speed and canny race-craft makes him formidably well-armed to fight for victory on any grand prix circuit in the world. While Sergio is still developing his palette of skills, we’re convinced that he’s not only talented and quick, but also that he’s willing and eager to learn.

“He’s perfectly poised to develop into a world championship challenger. His addition to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team provides us with the perfect two-pronged driver line-up for the new season.

“Finally, it’s entirely appropriate that I should take this opportunity to pass on our thanks to Lewis [Hamilton]. He wrote a huge chapter of his life and career with us, and was, and always will be, a fine member of an exclusive club: the McLaren world champions’ club.

“It goes without saying that we all wish him well for the future, just as it also goes without saying that we hope and believe that Sergio, too, will become a member of that exclusive club before too long.”

For more on what it means, see previous story.