Michael Schumacher retires as the greatest Formula 1 driver ever...

...other than that, who really cares?

Roto-Reuters: Motor racing-Alonso launches scathing attack on Schumacher

Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has launched a scathing attack on Michael Schumacher following the German driver's announcement that he will retire at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old Spaniard accused seven-times world champion Schumacher of being the most unsporting driver in the history of the sport.

He also compared Schumacher's departure unfavourably with that of French footballer Zinedine Zidane whose last act before retiring was to be sent off for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest during the World Cup final.

"Zidane retired with more glory that Schumacher," Alonso was quoted as telling Radio Marca in Tuesday's edition of the Spanish sports daily.

"Michael is the most unsporting driver with the largest number of sanctions in the history of Formula One.

"That doesn't take away from the fact that he has been the best driver and it has been an honour and pleasure to battle against him.

"Everyone has their time and you have to respect his decision. Things will be more equal now."

Alonso also attacked what he saw as institutional bias in favour of Schumacher and his Ferrari team.

"In Formula One there are commercial and political interests," he said.

"We are talking about the most successful driver in history and a little bit of help has never gone amiss. Quite often they go over the line of what is acceptable and it is inexplicable."