Perhaps it is all that time sitting around with his leg in plaster, but Michael Schumacher recently illustrated that his driving talent is matched by an ability to express himself better than 99 per cent of other top athletes.

"We are not immune to fear," he said. "Not fear of what we do, because there is no room to worry about the dangers, but fear of the possible the consequences of losing everything. I understand the reasons why Damon Hill is prepared to quit.

"It is not a question of losing your nerve. It is about priorities. It is not even about losing faith in yourself. It is about holding the woman you love, saying goodbye, and knowing you may not come back.

"It is the realisation that the motives for taking such huge risks are not as important as love and having a future together. I want a long and happy life with my wife. I want life after Formula One."