Michael Schumacher dealt a blow on Thursday afternoon to those hoping the 2006 driver market would soon surge into action.
The German told reporters that he has successfully negotiated with Ferrari to prolong a decision about his future beyond this year.
”Ferrari will let me wait until the end of the year if I want to and I gratefully accept,” Schumacher, 37, said, after previously promising a mid-year call.
He clarified: ”I can wait until the last race.”
Despite speculation that the seven time world champion would likely stick around until 2008, Schumacher’s spokeswoman, Sabine Kemn, hinted that the German is yet undecided.
She revealed at Barcelona: ”He said the more time he has to consider it deeply … the better.”
Schumacher, denying that he wants to see if he can retire as a world champion, concurred: ”It is an important decision for me.
”I don’t want to say any more about it, because it will lead only to more speculation.”gmmf1 dailyf1news.com