German F1 great, Michael Schumacher's announcement of his pending second retirement, capped off what has been a rather underwhelming comeback to the sport for the former 7-times champion.
So how did Schumi's comeback rate amongst the most-hyped comebacks in world sport? Here are some comebacks that had a lot of build-up but really came to nothing.
Luke McAlister
Ah yes, 2009. When Dan Carter went off on sabbatical and the All Blacks were down to the then-maligned Beaver, Stephen Donald and Mike Delany as their first-choice first-fives, it was no surprise that the NZRU initially had a big grin when McAlister announced he would be making a swift return to New Zealand rugby after a brief stint with the Sale Sharks in England. McAlister had been hailed a star there but of course, going straight into the rough and tumble of putting on the All Blacks jersey at home after so long would be a huge test - add the pressure that he was being considered a saviour at the time. Unfortunately, McAlister showed none of the form that saw him become a key player for the All Blacks in the lead up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup and played his last game in the black jersey against France in the 2009 end of year tour. After missing out on the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad despite injuries to Dan Carter and Colin Slade, McAlister bid au revoir to New Zealand rugby for a stint with Toulouse, never having quite shown what he could really do.
Lance Armstrong
Ok maybe it is a bit harsh to consider the 8-times Tour de France champion's comeback as underwhelming especially when he did finish 3rd to eventual winner and fellow Astana team-mate Alberto Contador in his first Tour since his comeback in 2009, but the Tour the following year with the then-new Team Radioshack was a huge disappointment with Armstrong a shadow of his great self. Armstrong obviously knew his body wasn't quite up to it as he approached the grand old age of 40, and announced his retirement in 2011. Now whether he is really a great, that's for another post but I'd rate Armstrong's comeback as a bit on the underwhelming side given what he achieved in the past.
Michael Schumacher
A bit like Armstrong really - both were champions of their sport multiple/multiple times and were so dominant during the time they were champions that they bored the sport for some with their dominance. It was a bit of a surprise when Schumacher did announce his return to the sport for 2010 with Mercedes having been out of the sport since 2006; motivated perhaps by the fact that he just missed out on being Felipe Massa's mid-season replacement when the Brazilian was ruled out after a horror crash in the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. The hype was great as Schumacher, fit and lean as ever, joined a suddenly growing field of champions in 2010 - Alonso, Hamilton & Button were the other champions. Sadly, Schumacher would fail to score a podium until this season, never came remotely close to adding his record tally of grand prix wins and was often outpaced by his teammate, Nico Rosberg. Schumi was also involved in some controversial crashes and moments which led some to believe that the former great was just out for a rather expensive Sunday afternoon drive. Alas, Hamilton's arrival to partner the already-signed Rosberg, was the signal to Schumi to go and hang up the helmet.
And here are some great comebacks.
Niki Lauda
Double F1 world champion, Niki Lauda, originally left the sport after feeling disillusioned at an uncompetitive Brabham team. While away he established the now defunct Lauda Air, before realising he missed the thrill and glamour of the sport he was nearly killed in in 1976, and he made a stunning return with the McLaren team that had just been taken over by Ron Dennis. With Irishman John Watson, Lauda hauled McLaren back to the front of the field including a memorable win at the Long Beach Grand Prix from the back of the field. In 1984, Alain Prost partnered Lauda at McLaren and the two would be involved in the closest title race yet - Lauda's consistency ensured he finished ahead - by just half a point. Alas, 1985 was a big disappointment for the Austrian who took his last grand prix at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, while Prost dominated the season to win his first of four titles.
Alain Prost
Over 10 years after Lauda's remarkable comeback, Prost would make his own remarkable comeback story. Mind you his original departure from the sport was in controversial circumstances; he was sacked by Ferrari towards the end of the 1991 season after making remarks about the team prior to the Italian Grand Prix. Without a drive for a competitive team for the 1992 season, Prost took a sabbatical from the sport before signing with the champion Williams-Renault team for 1993 albeit in controversial circumstances - he took the drive on the condition that he would be the number one driver of the team, thus ruling out then incumbent world champion, Nigel Mansell and his bitter rival, Ayrton Senna out of the other Williams car. Prost may have been outclassed by Senna in the first few races, including at Donington where he finished 3rd but a lap down on a brilliant Senna, but in a superior car, Prost was his usual consistent self, and accumulated enough wins and points to become world champion at the Portuguese Grand Prix - for the fourth time. With Senna set to join the team, Prost announced his retirement and capped a fine comeback.
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