11 Nov 2011

Schumacher cagey on F1 future

5:55 am on 11 November 2011

The Formula One great Michael Schumacher has denied that he's in discussions with Mercedes to extend his contract beyond next season.

Mercedes announced earlier that Schumacher's team mate Nico Rosberg had agreed a new deal keeping him at the team beyond 2013.

German media had already reported that Schumacher, who will be racing again for Mercedes next year, had negotiated an extension.

The 41-year-old, who notched up five successive titles with Ferrari, has not been back on the podium since he retired from Formula One as a Ferrari driver in 2006.

However, the most successful driver the sport has ever witnessed has shaken off the rust and shown notable improvement in form this season although the Mercedes has not been quick enough to challenge Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari for victories.

How good the car turns out to be next year, and how quickly the team can progress to becoming race winners and title contenders, is likely to be a factor in Schumacher's decision.