However, there have been the lows, not least his dramatic final-race collisions with Damon Hill in 1994 and Jaques Villeneuve in 1997 when the championship was on the line.

Schumacher’s career, in fact, is littered with controversial moments which have led to him being criticised as well as praised in almost equal measure over the years.

In Monaco this year there was the infamous incident when he parked his Ferrari on the final bend in the dying stages of qualifying, seemingly in order to prevent Fernando Alonso from claiming pole position.

Schumacher protested his innocence, but the race stewards saw the situation differently and demoted the 37-year-old German to the back of the grid.

“It’s pretty clear that if you have a chance to do things twice in life then you might do them different,” said Schumacher.

“But in general I’ve had a good life. There’s nothing to regret. I’m pretty relaxed.”

Which is why Schumacher is happy to head into retirement without any worries about where his career will now lead, and why he insists the show will go on at Ferrari.

He at least quashed suggestions linking him with a £7million drive for Audi in the DTM Series as he said: “As for racing elsewhere, I have no view or interest in that at the moment.

“I still don’t know what will happen in my life after Formula One.

“I don’t feel like I should know. I’m in the fortunate position of being able to retire, knowing I don’t have to have a vision for my life immediately afterwards.

“I have plenty of time to make my vision and live my life where something will come up that will interest me.

“I’m completely relaxed and sure about this, but what it will be I don’t know. Life offers up plenty of opportunities and I’m looking forward to those.

“As for Ferrari, there was a Ferrari without Schumacher before I arrived and there will be a Ferrari without me when I go.”

One thing appears certain, Schumacher will not be returning to Formula One.

“I cannot see myself being strong enough in the future, and to get the energy you need to be strong enough,” asserted Schumacher.

“It (Formula One) needs a lot of motivation and dedication, and as I’ve said several times, the battery is empty.”

Not for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, though, even though Schumacher has reiterated that a record-extending eighth championship is beyond him.

Ahead of the 71-lap race, Fernando Alonso is poised to win back-to -back titles with Renault as he holds a 10-point advantage.

By winning the last race in Japan, where Schumacher’s Ferrari suffered an engine failure for the first time in six years, Alonso stands on the brink of glory again.

The 25-year-old Spaniard, who joins McLaren next season, requires just a point to ensure his time with the French marque ends on a spectacular high.

As for Schumacher, nothing less than victory will suffice, while at the same time Alonso has to not finish in the points.

“Coming here this weekend I’m not thinking about my own chances for the title, I’m thinking about the constructors’ championship for Ferrari,” added Schumacher.

“The drivers’ title race is finished for me. I don’t want to build up my hopes on somebody retiring.

“Clearly I will try to win the race, and from the team’s point of view we can only do the maximum job and that’s to finish one-two.

“Then we have to see what the others do and whether that’s enough for us to win the constructors’ championship or not.

“It’s up to us to concentrate on what we do, to do the best we can and then the rest is fate.”