The Observer

Just what is Michael Schumacher up to? He can't leave it alone, can he? Formula One has been his life, his obsession, his raison d'etre since 1991 - and retiring from the cockpit clearly hasn't changed that for him.

Just over one year ago at the Nurburgring, when the European Grand Prix ran in its traditional April slot, Schuey was on top of his game. He beat arch-rival Fernando Alonso in a classic strategy battle, aided by a 'perfect' compound of Bridgestone tyre and Renault's choice of a too-hard Michelin option.

By accident, I witnessed a private moment of jubilation for Schumacher back then.

As the cars pulled into parc ferme after the race, I headed for the paddock to catch up with drivers fresh out of their cars. But the security guy at the bottom of the stairs had locked the door and wouldn't let me out. I was confused and annoyed. But then I realised why he'd done it.

Out of a side door bounced Michael. The stairs to the media centre were also the route to the podium. He was in his own private moment of reverie - I could have been standing on my head naked and he wouldn't have noticed. (Well, maybe he would have, but you know what I mean.)

The big grin, the gritted teeth, the clenched fists - everything we had come to expect of him on podiums every other weekend. But this wasn't for a baying crowd below him, this was just the personal satisfaction of knowing he was still the best, still the king of F1.

Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher on the 2006 European Grand Prix podium © LAT

Ross Brawn followed him out of the side door and caught up with Michael on the stairs. The old partners embraced, Ross wearing his trademark wide grin as he congratulated his driver on a perfectly executed performance.

Then Alonso stalked in and up the stairs, his face set in a cold grimace, his HANS device still attached to the back of his neck. He didn't stop on the stairwell to congratulate the Ferrari duo...

This time at the Nurburgring, Schuey was back, wearing the familiar red branded clothing, physically the same as he has always been. At a glance, nothing had changed - but he did look different. He looked bored.

During every practice session, during qualifying, during the race, he stood behind Jean Todt and the engineers on the pitwall, eyes glued to the timing screens. There'd be a wry smile every now and then, but mostly he remained unmoved by what he saw, only too aware that the cameras were still watching him, just as they had always done.

So what was he doing there? Speaking for the first time since his 'comeback' weekend in Spain, Schuey has admitted what we already know: his role within the F1 team remains unspecified.

He adds what he can with opinions and advice - but he is no longer the hub of the team. He must feel like a spare part.

Why does he put himself through it? We all know he could still be winning GPs, just as he did at the 'Ring last year. But he chose to walk away rather than face Kimi Raikkonen as a teammate. And yet he's still hanging around.

Why doesn't he go and find something else to do? Or if he really can't help coming to races, at least talk to the world about what he sees on the track. That would be fascinating - and properly useful. As you can tell, it's starting to annoy me.

Given that this was the first GP in Germany since his retirement, they put on a little ceremony for him. The super-fast esses after the hairpin - where Lewis Hamilton crashed in qualifying - was renamed the 'Schumacher S' in his honour. A nice touch, and a suitably quick section of track to bear the name. And it's the first time a corner at the Nurburgring has been named after a driver.

But it was all a little embarrassing to watch. I couldn't help feeling a little sad as Schuey, Bernie Ecclestone and some dignitary-types pulled on some ropes to reveal a large hoarding bearing the new corner name. The cover got briefly stuck, and it was all faintly comical. Michael smiled, but he didn't look comfortable.

He never does when it comes to ceremonies - and he certainly didn't when he had to present the winning constructor trophy on the podium to Ron Dennis! Whose idea was that? Sure, it would have been lovely for him to present it to Jean Todt - but there was always a chance someone other than Ferrari would win! Brilliant moment. The expression on his face was priceless.

Michael Schumacher on the pit wall at the 2007 European Grand Prix © LAT

Of course, this season has been great in so many ways, and there are those who say we don't miss Schuey. I don't agree with that. How can you? Imagine the season we are having with the addition of Schuey taking on Alonso, Hamilton and Kimi (sorry, Felipe - you're more expendable).

One final observation this week: RTL's TV figures might be down, but I noticed little difference in the attitude of the crowd at the 'Ring. Sure, they didn't have their man to holler for - Nick Heidfeld doesn't cut it, and Ralf certainly doesn't - but there were still plenty of pissed-up Germans wobbling around.

The atmosphere at the Nurburgring is always great, and I always feel a certain affinity for the place, even beyond the obvious attraction of the Nordschleife. Perhaps it's because the crowd is not so different to the one I'm used to in the UK. There's little difference between pissed-up Brits and pissed-up Germans!

So racing goes on without Schumacher. Everyone, even the greats, come and go, and the sport rolls on without them. From being one of the two central figures in the paddock, along with Bernie, Michael has become a bit-part player.

But this is the icon of his generation. He says that he is quite happy, but I'm sorry, I don't believe him. He needs to find something else, get away from the sport just as Alonso surely will when he retires.

There must be more to life for a man with so much wealth, so much opportunity to experience new things.

In his interview, Schumacher admits that he is already losing touch, as every driver does once they quit racing. He says he is comfortable with his decision to walk away - but then that's exactly what he hasn't done, isn't it?

So if he really can't leave it alone, perhaps he should give in to the natural urge: perhaps he should get back in and drive.