"[Michael Schumacher], please don't leave," one banner read. Another said: "Schumi + Ferrari eternal love."

"You could feel the love they have for Ferrari," Schumacher said. "If I had to talk about that decision at that moment, I would not have managed to get the words out of my mouth."

"It's not as if I'm lacking anything," he said. "Might as well leave while I'm still at the top level."