Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher said that he will retire at the end of the current season. 

Just last week, Mercedes-Benz announced that Lewis Hamilton would be replacing Schumacher for the 2013 F1 season. Schumacher didn't completely dominate the rumors of his taking a spot with another racing outfit next season. I

In an interview with the Associated Press following the Japanese Gran Prix, Schumacher recounted, "I feel I am still able to compete at my best level but the time has come to say goodbye and this time can be forever." 

Schumacher retired for the first time following the 2006 F1 season, choosing to return with Mercedes in 2010. 

Despite being the most successful driver in the history of the sport, Schumacher has underwhelmed in the intervening years since his comeback.

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won the inaugural Formula One Indian Grand Prix on Sunday, staying on track to equal the record for the number of wins in a season.

Vettel led from start to finish, maintaining a comfortable buffer throughout to finish 8.4 seconds ahead of McLaren's Jenson Button, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso a distant third.

The race saw yet another collision between McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Felipe Massa to intensify their rivalry, with Massa in the wrong and given a pit drive-through penalty before later breaking his front suspension and retiring from the race.

Red Bull's Mark Webber was fourth, ahead of the Mercedes pair of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.