The world’s press is running wild with Michael Schumacher’s statement that he is getting "no joy" out of his formula one career at present.
"The big joy is not there right now, except some action, that’s about it," the 42-year-old German told television reporters after his fraught race in Turkey.
Scolded Italian newspaper Repubblica from Istanbul: "Schumacher was being overtaken on all sides and ruining the others’ races".
Corriere della Sport said Istanbul was "painful": "It hurts to see Schumacher in this state".
Even Germany’s Bild said the Mercedes driver is "No longer the giant that dominated. He is a sad shadow of his former self. This is not our Schumi".
BBC commentator and Schumacher’s former Benetton teammate Martin Brundle admitted his performance in Turkey was "uncomfortable to watch".
"I think any dreams of a fairytale comeback are over," he added.
Agreed another key former Schumacher rival David Coulthard: "He must be asking himself questions. You can’t hold back the clock."
Wrote the Italian magazine Autosprint: "The question many experts are asking is how long Schumacher will have the motivation to deal with a generation of drivers who could be his sons."
Another of Schumacher’s former Benetton teammates, Johnny Herbert, said he senses the German will make a decision shortly.
"His dream was to win again but it has not turned out that way and I would be surprised if he chose to continue," the Briton wrote in his column for The National.