Schumacher coy on Formula One future

Sep 3, 2006, 17:31 GMT

Nuerburgring, Germany - Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher left a decision on his Formula One future open when he appeared Sunday at the Ferrari Racing Days event at the Nuerburgring.

Ferrari is set to announce its drivers for the 2007 season immediately after the Italian Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday, but the 37-year-old German would not be drawn on his future.

'In Monza we will, I think, find out what is going to happen,' he said.

Schumacher has so far not said whether he would sign a new contract with Ferrari for 2007 or end his career as the most successful driver in F1 history after the 2006 campaign.

He is 12 points behind Renault driver Fernando Alonso, the defending champion, going onto Sunday's race.

'We will give our best. Maybe that will be enough, maybe not,' said Schumacher who arrived by helicopter at the finishing line of the circuit to be greeted by 35,000 fans.

'The position (going into the race) creates pressure, but with my experience I can cope with it.'

Meanwhile Jens Todt, Ferrari's general director, would also not be drawn on Schumacher's plans.

He told the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche the former world champion should do 'what he really wants to'. Schumacher's career 'gives him the privilege at the age of 37 to decide himself on his future'.

Todt said he wanted to stay in charge of the Italian racing team. He meanwhile denied Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, currently at McLaren-Mercedes, had signed a pre-contract to replace Schumacher.