Sao Paulo, Brazil (AHN) - In the same race that Fernando Alonso won his second straight Formula 1 title, seven-time champion Michael Schumacher retired. On Sunday, at the Brazilian Grand Prix, one of Schumacher’s tires went flat on lap 10 of the 71-lap race, forcing him to leave the track early.

“Today my racing career comes to an end,” the 37-year-old driver told the AP. “Obviously, it is a special moment for me, and I am proud to have lived my career with some fantastic people, namely everyone who is part of the Ferrari family.”

Over 16 years, Schumacher amassed 91 wins and 68 poles. The Brazilian Grand Prix was another milestone for Schumacher, being his 250th race.

Schumacher’s racing team member, Brazilian Felipe Massa, won the race in his home country. After his exit from the race, Schumacher, who is German, waved a Brazilian flag at the crowd and cheered on his teammate to victory.

Were it not for the flat tire, Schumacher felt that his car was in tip-top shape.

“We had an insanely quick car today,” he told the AP. “We probably had enough speed to lap everyone, to be honest. We did that sort of anyhow. All in all, I’d have to say it was a class finale with the car, with the speed we’ve got. But it just wasn’t meant to be today.”

Prior to the race, Brazilian soccer legend Pele presented Schumacher with a trophy after describing Schumacher as “the Pele of motor racing.”

Alonso’s victory makes him the eighth driver in history to win back-to-back Formula 1 titles.

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