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A pictorial look at the Formula One career of Michael Schumacher, who will retire from the sport for the second time at the end of the 2012 season

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Following a one race debut with Jordan in 1991, Michael Schumacher moves to Benetton where he claimed the first of his record seven Formula One championships in 1994.Neil Hewitt/The Associated Press

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Schumacher's first title was not without controversy. Leading the championship by a single point heading into the final race, Schumacher spun, hit a guardrail and upon returning to the track, collided with Damon Hill - his only challenger for the title - causing them both to retire from the race and allowing the German to win the championship.Paul Dengate/Reuters

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Schumacher successfully defended his title in season two with Benetton to become the youngest two-time world champion.Pierre Thielemans/The Associated Press

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In 1996, Schumacher joined Ferrari and along with Jean Todt and former Benetton team members Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne, would go on to form one of the most formidable teams in the history of the sport.Eckehard Schulz/The Associated Press

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From the period of 2000 to 2004, Schumacher and Ferrari won more races and world championships than any other driver in the history of the sport. In 2003, the German broke Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five world championships by winning the title for the sixth time.Andy Eames/The Associated Press

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In winning his record seventh world championship, Schumacher and Ferrari captured 12 of the first 13 races, set a record with 148 points and 13 total race wins.Tony Gentile/Reuters

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In 2005, Ferrari's dominance began to wane and Schumacher struggled to finish third in the championship behind Spain's Fernando Alonso.Issei Kato/Reuters

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The 2006 season would be Schumacher's last with Ferrari and despite leading the championship with two races remaining, he would once again lose the title to Alonso. However, during that season, Schumacher eclipsed Ayrton Senna's record for most pole positions in a career (66). On October 1st, he claimed his 91st, and last, grand prix win in Shanghai.Christian Charisius/Reuters

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After spending three seasons as an advisor with Ferrari, Schumacher announced he would return to competitive racing for the 2010 season with the new Mercedes Grand Prix team led by former Ferrari team boss Ross Brawn. He would fail to win a race for the first time since his Formula One debut back in 1991, finishing 9th in the drivers standings.Petr David Josek/The Associated Press

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A week after Mercedes confirmed Lewis Hamilton would join the team for the 2013 season, Schumacher confirmed his second retirement from the sport. Barring something out of the ordinary in the remaining races, he will finish his second stint as an F1 driver with just a single podium and no victories.Dani Cardona/Reuters

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