Grapevine: Schumacher's biography out this week

The 130-page book, prepared by the German's personal assistant Sabine Kehm, is simply titled "Schumacher" and it will be on sale on Friday in German language.

"This is an emotional, not chronological retrospective on my times in Formula One," Schumacher writes in the preface.

The aim of the book, according to the German, is to "let the people who have followed my career be able to get a closer idea of that environment I've just left.

"Formula One is definitely a fascinating world: for many years it was my life and I've thoroughly enjoyed these years. It has given me emotions that couldn't be anymore intense and it has also taught me things that will enrich my life for a long time.

"That's why I'm thankful towards it," he writes.

Schumacher retired from Formula One at the end of the 2006 season after a record-breaking career that spanned over 16 seasons.

The books is also "a thanks to my fans, who have always stood behind me, supporting me constantly. The appeals received shortly before my retirement announcement at Monza touched me deeply. At the same time this is an invitation for others to perhaps get to know me better.

"The decisive thing for me was the fact that one concept has always been clear to me: that one day I would retire and that I would find other things I would enjoy. I've never been of the opinion that I'm the best and unbeatable.

"I still have no idea what effects [retirement] will have on me, but I'm not afraid of it either," Schumacher writes.