I retired simply because I didn't have the passion and motivation anymore, I was tired. At the time I thought, 'Well, I had a great time, there is the end.' At some moment there is the right time to call it an end.

I like working in a team, and at Ferrari there is always good cooperation.

I have really enjoyed my time at Ferrari, not just because of the successes.

Mika Hakkinen was the best opponent (I've had) in terms of his quality, but the biggest admiration I had for him was we had 100% fight on track but a totally disciplined life off track. We respected each other highly and let each other live quietly.

In sport there is never any moment that is the same as the other. I have been in Formula One for 12 years, and out of that I had one year with the perfect car.

I just want to be known as a very normal person and be treated as that and be able to walk down the street like anyone else.

Technology has certainly reduced performance differences among drivers. Whereas a talented driver could get a half-second out of every lap in the past, nowadays talent makes up for only about one or two tenths of a second. But the driver is still the key factor.