Schumacher rules out future job as Ferrari team boss

Jul 19, 2007, 11:34 GMT

Hamburg - Michael Schumacher has ruled an engagement as Ferrari team boss and said his future at the Italian Formula One team was also undecided.

'This was never and will never be an issue for me,' the seven-time world champion said in an interview with Thursday's edition of the Bild daily.

Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season as the most successful driver in F1 history, spending the last 11 seasons at Ferrari.

He is an advisor to the team but no further role has been determined yet, with Schumacher admitting that he no longer is up to date with many aspects of the team and the sport.

'Ferrari and I have no clear idea yet how we will do it in the future. But we are under no pressure.

'My knowledge in Formula One is only valuable on a short-term basis, otherwise I would have to refresh it. I see many ex-drivers who try to make comments and have a hard time doing so. They are no longer in the business,' he said.

Schumacher said he was not prepared to spend a lot of time at the team because he has other commitments and wants to spend a lot of time with his family.

'I simply feel free,' said Schumacher.

The German said he did not want to comment on the sabotage saga around former Ferrari mechanic Nigel Stepney because he knows more than is currently in the public arena.

Looking at the current season, he praised championship-leading McLaren-Mercedes rookie Lewis Hamilton, describing him as 'very impressive,' but expressed his belief that the Briton won't have an easy run to the title against team-mate Fernando Alonso and the Ferrari duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.

'I expect two red cars (Ferraris) to join the fight. I can not imagine that Hamilton gets through the races without bad luck. That has never been the case,' Schumacher insisted.