The event was held at the Red Gate Gallery in Beijing and was attended by Ferrari owners and collectors (already sounds pretty obnoxious). The 599 China, which was created by artist Lu Hao, was won by an anonymous bidder from Shanghai with the proceeds going to Tsinghua University's Department of Automotive Engineering school with the intent to sponsor student and professor studies in Italy's Politecnico di Milano University or allow internships at Ferrari. At least they didn't get NIGO to paint it.

That's right, as we told you last week, The Stig is Michael Schumacher.

[via carscoop]

"I'm very sorry, this is something not in my character. Driving fast should only be done on a track"

Not in his character? What about racing a taxi to the airport? Or is it different because he was driving an Audi convertible this time? [Bild via AxisOfOversteer]

'I thought I recognised the driver but my head was spinning. He was screaming: 'What the f***ing hell were you doing in the road.

'He seemed cross, as if I was in the wrong. I called the police.'

[...]

'He still didn't apologise. He was arrogant. The way I landed was lucky. My leg was aching, and the next day a big bruise came up below my knee.'

(Hat tip to everyone who sent this one in!) [The Daily Mail, Photo: Getty Images]

...the Ferrari macher went into the first curve, realized he was heading in too quick and after nailing brakes — and shot like a cannon into the rest of the pack. Although Schumi wasn't physically hurt, we're hoping assuming his pride was given a quick punch to the gut. [via Motor.nl]

In addition to his Triumph, Schumacher brought his track prepped Ducati 1098R and Desmosedici RR to the Barcelona track for testing. It's not known which series, if any, Schumacher would choose to participate in, but it's assumed he can pretty much write his own ticket. Any lack luster performance would be made up for by his crowd-pulling name. [Via Motorcycle News]

The Opel Vivaro taxi (a different one pictured) has ten potential bidders interested with a bid as high as 63,000 euros (or about $93,000). "I need the money &mdash because of the Schumi-Ride I could be in big trouble with the police," the taxi driver said. We hope this story has a happy ending. Maybe next year's Race of Champions will feature a head-to-head Minivan race. [F1 Live via AutoBlog]

"I found myself in the passenger seat, which was strange enough, but to have "Schumi" behind the wheel of my cab was incredible"... "He drove at full throttle around the corners and over-took in some unbelievable places."

A German newspaper reports that retired Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher picked up a 38th birthday present for himself. It's a rare Daytona Super Coupe. No word on whether it's a replica or one of the originals, though we'd imagine if anyone had the bank to scoop up one of the mid-1960s Shelby-Brock masterpieces, it'd be Schuey. Maybe he'll even drive it like he embezzled it. [Thanks to Christian for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

Schumacher Buys Rare Supercar [Paddock Talk]

1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona 427 Super Coupe Type 65 CSB 3054 [Conceptcarz.com]

Related:
Superperformance Brock Coupe Recalls Legendary Shelby Daytona [internal]

Say what you will about Formula One racing these days — the tooth-and-nail fighting for position, the swiping and sniping, the bump and run (and that's just in the front office) — but future racing historians will remember Michael Schumacher as one of the sport's premier drivers and savior of the Ferrari Grand Prix mojo. Today at Monza, after effectively capping a career's worth of achievements with his 90th win, Schumacher — as expected — announced he'll be retiring from Formula One after this season. The 37-year-old has already beaten Aryton Senna's record for pole positions (65) and has won nearly double the number of races as the next winningest F1 racer, Alain Prost. What's next? Did someone say rally?

Formula One: For Schumacher, time to go [The International Herald Tribune]

Michael Schumacher announces his retirement [Axis of Oversteer]

Related:
Luigi'd Be Proud: Michael Schumacher Dumps All Over NASCAR [internal]

Now that Ferrari isn't totally sucking in Formula 1 (and 2005 totally sucked, by Ferrari standards), Jean Todt thinks it might be a nice place to stay for another year. Of course, Todt is technically the head of Ferrari operations, including the street cars, so it's not like he was going to jump ship. But with the team principal signed up for another try at the world championship, it's all the more likely that Herr Schumacher will stick around as well.

Schumacher currently trails behind points leader Fernando Alonso by 21 points. But with Alonso moving to McLaren next year, a team that is currently underperforming, 2007 could be a cake walk for Schumi, as long as Kimi Raikkonen isn't driving a Ferrari alongside him.

Report: Todt Renews for '07... Schumacher to Follow? [SPEEDtv.com]

Related:
Hanging Gardens of F1: Dissected Racer at the British Motor Show [internal]
Did He or Didn't He: Only Kimi Knows for Sure

Ferrari point-man Michael Schumacher was choppered in to take the F1 team's newest car for its introductory burn around the Fiorino track, ahead of its official launch in Mugello next Tuesday. Gone is the 3.0-liter V10 that once powered the Scuderia's ride in favor of a new 2.4-liter V8 built to new F1 regulations set to reduce speeds and costs. Not much has been revealed about the new car, which will likely have little in common with the F2005 V10 car, other than that which F1 fans already know: It better be a damn sight better than last year's car or another round of beatings will further damage the superteam's rep. Talk amongst yourselves.

Ferrari's New V8-Engined Formula One Car [Italiaspeed]

Related:
Schumacher to Run *Old* Ferrari in First Half of 2005 [internal]