Schumacher's decision at 'end of year'

Just 24 hours after his manager Willi Weber was quoted as saying that he expected news about Schumacher's intentions by July, the seven times World Champion suggested ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix that a decision may not even come by then.

"It (the decision) could be very late," said Schumacher in the paddock at the Circuit de Catalunya on Thursday.

When asked by autosport.com how late Ferrari would be willing to hang on for Schumacher to make a decision, Schumacher said: "Ferrari is quite happy to wait until the end of the season."

Schumacher added that it was "very possible" a decision may not come until then, before confirming that it was even likely to happen then before adding: "The decision will be the end of the year."

Weber said earlier this week there was no pressure from him on Schumacher to announce his future.

"I cannot find it annoying when Michael is saying he needs time to reflect on what might be the most difficult decision in his career, perhaps in his life, since he was to decide where the journey goes to," Weber said.

"If you have such a strong emotional bond to what you are doing as Michael has, then you simply need enough time to think that over."

A Ferrari spokesman confirmed that Formula One's glamour team had set no deadline while Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said there was no pressure on him.

"The fact is that Michael is free to decide until the end of the season and he is thankful for this and he has accepted that, not coming over with a decision before the end of the season," she said.

"He said it is a very important decision he has to take and the more time he has to consider it deeply, with all the knowledge he can have, then the better it is."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told Gazzetta dello Sport last month that he expected the seven times champion to decide his future within the coming month.

"It's up to him to decide and he knows that if he wants to stay for two years then we will agree. He has to say it," said di Montezemolo.