Oct.25 (GMM) Michael Schumacher has denied that the ascendency of F1's new generation pushed him into retirement at the end of 2006.

The seven time world champion told a Spanish magazine earlier this year: "I always said that the day a younger driver went past me would tell me that the moment had arrived to leave."

It has also been claimed that the German, 38, was not prepared to go head-to-head this year with Ferrari's new signing, Kimi Raikkonen.

As he prepares to receive the Prince of Asturias award in Fernando Alonso's hometown of Oviedo on Friday, Schumacher was asked if the Spaniard motivated his decision to stop.

"My decision had nothing to do with Fernando. Not at all. Nor had it to do with Kimi. It was all inside me. The circle was closed," he insists.

Alonso, who arrived in Spain on Thursday, agrees.

"Michael stopped because different things motivate him now -- such as his family," he said.

"Anyway, he probably had already decided to retire before the start of the (2006) season."