Germany, ,Michael Schumacher is poised to decide his Formula One future by the end of September, his manager Willi Weber has said. And if the German decides to race on past the end of his current contract in 2004, he will definitely be staying with Ferrari.
Weber said that Schumacher will decide his future around the time of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which is on 14 September.
"Maybe it will be by Monza or maybe later. But not much later," Weber said. "If he continues after 2004 it will be with Ferrari, that's for sure," said Weber. Schumacher is chasing a record sixth world title this year. The most successful driver in the team's history, the 34-year-old said in March that he had a standing offer to stay on and had set no time frame for a decision. But Weber said Schumacher would respect his current deal with the Italian team.
"He's under contract for next year, so nothing happens. We are talking about after 2004," Weber said. "I think the team will also want to know what the situation is. I believe he will say this year whether he continues driving or not.



"We haven't spoken yet about the situation because we are working for the races and the championship and there has not been a lot of time to speak about it," said Weber.



Schumacher, four points adrift of Kimi Raikkonen in the championship standings, has said he will continue for as long he is having fun in F1.



Ferrari are said to have approached Williams star Juan Pablo Montoya about replacing Schumacher when the German finally quits the sport. It has long been speculated that Schumacher would retire at the end of 2004, which will be his 13th season in F1.



He will be 36 at the start of the 2005 season, an age at which most top drivers are considering quitting the sport.


Bureau Report