A superstar if there ever was one

'Great' , 'superstar', 'genius', 'legend' - words used so loosely we don't even know what it signifies anymore. Dhoni has been called all of these, and he has not even faced quick bowling in Aus/SA yet. Sania was called all of these - and she is struggling to get past Round 1. The England football team (and Gerrard/Lampard/Beckham) were elevated to planetary status but couldn't make any impression in the World Cup.

However, one man richly deserves all these words - in fact they should perhaps retire one of these words along with him - so it is not used like confetti. M. Schumacher announced his retirement yesterday, and the world he dominated will never be the same again. To win one race in a sport that just 20 can participate in is great - but to win 7 world championships, to be on the verge of winning the 8th, to be on top of his art for over 15 years, to dominate and to be more hungry than fitter youngsters and to generally be synonymous with a sport where luck plays such a huge part is nothing short of genius.

Yesterday's race was indicative of his presence. Even though he qualified second behind Kimi, there was somehow a feeling of inevitability that he would get eventually win - which he did comfortably - timing his pits perfectly, generating the fast laps when it mattered (when Kimi pitted) and just pulling away easily to win.

Yesterday's press conference was also very instructive of his achievements. Flanked on both sides by teenagers in a sport meant for drivers like them, he clearly showed the world why he is special.

I got initiated onto F1 like many boys my age thanks to the nature of the sport - adrenalin, speed, glitz - I stayed on because of Schumi. And I am not the only one.

That is the man's power. A superstar if there ever was one.