Schumacher undecided on future beyond 2012

Michael Schumacher says he hasn’t decided what to do beyond his 2012 race contract with Mercedes.

It emerged recently that the German was open to talks to extend the deal, but he told selected reporters in Turkey that he is not yet making plans.

“Just as when I retired in late 2006, I have not thought about it,” said the seven time world champion, who signed a three-year comeback deal with the German marque beginning last season.

“Really, I don’t know,” Schumacher told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper as well as correspondents for prominent publications L’Equipe, the Daily Express, La Gazzetta dello Sport and El Pais.

“I have many hobbies, I have my family.  I don’t see myself working with a formula one team unless I am driving, which I love deeply.

“My passion for competition is still very much alive,” said the German.

But whilst singling out 2002 as his period of greatest strength in his first career, Schumacher acknowledges that at 42, he is not now quite as good.

“If you ask me if I am the same, the answer is probably not,” he admitted.

“But the success I had was because maybe I am exceptional.  Probably I still am exceptional to do what I do at the age I am now,” added Schumacher.

“If formula one had become ten seconds (per lap) faster, perhaps not.  But that’s not the case.  Ask the physios and the drivers and they’ll say unanimously that I am still up there.”

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