<p>Michael Schumacher could literally ride off into the sunset when he retires from Formula One next month after revealing a plan to take up competitive cowboy-style riding. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The seven-time world champion, now 43, told Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper in an interview on Thursday that his wife Corinna, a keen horsewoman, had suggested a possible future direction. <br /><br />“I’m thinking of getting involved in Western Riding competitions,” declared the German. <br /><br />“Corinna, who has been doing these events for years, has already chosen the right horse for me. I’ll give it a try...” <br /><br />The Mercedes driver, who is a fan of cowboy shirts and boots and owns a ranch with his wife in Switzerland, said he had no plans to continue driving in any other motorsport series after this year. <br /><br />“Formula One offers the maximum in terms of emotion, speed, and complete work. Any other kind of car would not give me the same emotions. I am stopping here completely,” he said. <br /><br />The former Ferrari driver said he was pleased his friend and former team-mate Felipe Massa was staying at the Italian team next season. <br /><br />He also expressed divided loyalties in the title battle between his friend and compatriot Sebastian Vettel, the double champion leading the standings for Red Bull, and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. <br /><br />On the rumoured prospect of Vettel joining Ferrari in 2014, Schumacher said that every driver -- as he had done -- felt the need for new challenges.</p>
<p>Michael Schumacher could literally ride off into the sunset when he retires from Formula One next month after revealing a plan to take up competitive cowboy-style riding. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The seven-time world champion, now 43, told Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper in an interview on Thursday that his wife Corinna, a keen horsewoman, had suggested a possible future direction. <br /><br />“I’m thinking of getting involved in Western Riding competitions,” declared the German. <br /><br />“Corinna, who has been doing these events for years, has already chosen the right horse for me. I’ll give it a try...” <br /><br />The Mercedes driver, who is a fan of cowboy shirts and boots and owns a ranch with his wife in Switzerland, said he had no plans to continue driving in any other motorsport series after this year. <br /><br />“Formula One offers the maximum in terms of emotion, speed, and complete work. Any other kind of car would not give me the same emotions. I am stopping here completely,” he said. <br /><br />The former Ferrari driver said he was pleased his friend and former team-mate Felipe Massa was staying at the Italian team next season. <br /><br />He also expressed divided loyalties in the title battle between his friend and compatriot Sebastian Vettel, the double champion leading the standings for Red Bull, and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. <br /><br />On the rumoured prospect of Vettel joining Ferrari in 2014, Schumacher said that every driver -- as he had done -- felt the need for new challenges.</p>