Ex-world champion Michael Schumacher has said he is happy with the way he bowed out of Formula One in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix when he finished seventh. “It's strange that I finished my career with a seventh place finish — that's how it started, with seventh in my first qualifying (at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix),” Schumacher told a German magazine. “And with seven world titles: the number was a good ending.”

Having now hung up his Formula One helmet for good after his initial retirement in 2006, which lasted until 2010, Schumacher walks away having won seven world drivers' championships in his career.

Schumacher also praised champion Sebastian Vettel who on Sunday became the youngest driver in history to win a third consecutive Formula One title.

Schumacher allowed Vettel to pass him near the end of the race, although seventh would have been sufficient for Red Bull's Vettel to claim the title.