Fernando Alonso may have retained his title to join a list of legends, but if anybody doubted Schumacher is the greatest then they only had to watch his display in yesterday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Schumacher’s performance merited victory, but he failed to add to his record 91 wins in his 249th and last race, finishing fourth which did not do him justice.

“My racing career is now over,” said the German.

“It is obviously 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.

“There is so much I could say about them, but it is difficult to find the right words.”

Instead, “it wasn’t meant to be” was Schumacher’s summation of a race that saw him start from 10th on the grid following a fuel pressure failure in qualifying.

By the start of lap nine the 37-year-old German was up to fifth and charging, notably producing a superb overtaking manoeuvre on Giancarlo Fisichella down the pit straight.

However, Schumacher’s left-rear tyre was clipped by the front wing of Fisichella’s Renault, which was enough to spark a puncture.

Schumacher limped back to the pits, tyre shredded, and when he re-emerged he was 20th and last after the Williams’ of Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg had suffered first-lap retirements.

Disgruntled Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn commented: “I think he (Fisichella) clipped Michael’s tyre as he went past him and screwed our race.

“It was really frustrating we were unable to see Michael bring his career to a close with a win, especially as we had by far the quickest car.”

What followed belies the fact he is now retired as he scythed his way through the field, eventually reclaiming fifth from Fisichella as pressure led to him wilting and running wide on the approach to the Senna S at the start of lap 62.

The McLaren of Kimi Raikkonen was next in his sights, and with the most audacious of overtaking moves witnessed this season he passed the Finn on the inside of the Senna S as they ran wheel to wheel.

Come the finish, it was Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa on top of the podium, becoming the first Brazilian to win on home soil since the late, great Ayrton Senna.

“I am very happy for Felipe who drove an amazing race,” added Schumacher, aggrieved at missing out on one last chance to spray champagne from the podium.

“It would have been nice if I could at least have made it to the podium alongside him.

“But my race was compromised after the puncture, and although I had a good climb back up the order thanks to an amazingly quick car, it wasn’t meant to be.”

Ferrari boss Jean Todt was also dismayed at how Schumacher’s time in Formula One had drawn to a close.

“Despite an extraordinary victory from Felipe and a race which for so many reasons was an historic one for Michael, in the heat of the moment I feel very disappointed,” said Todt.

“We would have liked Michael’s career to have ended differently, but destiny had other plans.”

Massa, though, would appear to be a star on the rise and he knows he has considerable shoes to fill at Ferrari.

“Michael is a great guy and a fantastic person for me because he wanted me in the team, and I will miss him,” said Massa.

“I have always felt his support and his friendship, and I know it will be a big responsibility to replace him.”