Ralf Schumacher has hinted that he may be prepared to take a pay-cut in 2008.
The end of the German’s $20m a-year contract with Toyota this season has coincided with a conspicuous drop in form, but 31-year-old Schumacher insists to the magazine Sport Auto that “money is not my motivation”.
“Fortunately I don’t have to worry about that so much any more,” Ralf said, adding that he is “100 per cent sure” that he will still be on the grid in 2008.
“My motivation is that I still believe I have something to offer. And I would not be content with my career if it were to end now.”
He denied former boss Sir Frank Williams’ recent claim that he has lost his passion for racing by saying: “It is not my style to just cruise to the end of the season and collect my pension.”
Schumacher said hiring more “experienced people” would help Toyota’s plight but played down suggestions that the Japanese giant’s now six-year struggle means that its formula one foray has failed.
He said: “Even teams like Ferrari, McLaren and Renault have gone through their difficult times. Look at Renault — they are the world champion and doing it tough this season.
“Those teams have been there forever and we are in our sixth year against them,” Ralf added.
