Michael Schumacher described the emotion of announcing his retirement on the back of an historic 90th career victory at Ferrari’s home track of Monza as overwhelming.

The 37-year-old German revealed his decision to quit to the team over the pit-to-car radio as he drove his victory lap, after an Italian Grand Prix that leaves him just two points behind Fernando Alonso in the world championship standings.

“It was obviously pretty emotional to take the lap back after the race,” he said.

“I was talking to the team and informed everybody of my decision and probably this was the most emotional moment, being on the podium celebrating that moment knowing it was the last opportunity.

“The crowd gave me so much in terms of their feeling. It is just overwhelming.”

Schumacher said that he decided to quit in July adding that he wanted to go out while he was still at the peak of his driving powers.

He explained that other factors, such as Felipe Massa’s deal with the team, had influenced the timing of the announcement, but that in the end it was the right time to stop.

“As you see what I am able to do now, this is not really the thought,” he said, using his latest victory as an example of his enduring ability.

“You need all the energy and motivation and strengths and getting older it doesn't get easier to keep that. I just could not see I had it.

“It is maybe nicer that you go while you are at this point, rather than when you are at the other end.”

Several theories had been floated as to why Schumacher would want to stop while he could keep on winning, and while his manager Willi Weber told ITV Sport that his diminishing influence on the Ferrari team played a part, the German star ruled out family pressures.

“It is natural with the relationship we have (with his wife Corinna) that we discuss every little thing and the good thing I mentioned before, without the support of my family, all these years with having these strengths and resist.

“She supported me in my decision, but there was no time when she went one or the other direction.

“She just helped me take my decision.”

Ferrari’s announcement suggested that there will be a future role for Schumacher in the team after his driving career is over, but the great man said it was too early for him to think beyond the world championship.

“We have to see,” he said.

“I always said that the day I will retire I will just do nothing for a while. And then I will see what is my mood and what is going to happen.

“But I will always be a part of Ferrari family, we have to find out how but I will stick with my friends over there.”