No Reason to Stop, Says Schumacher

Michael Schumacher warned on Wednesday that he had no intention of quitting Formula One if, barring a huge upset, he clinches a record sixth world title at the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.

"As long as I am competitive, there is no need to think about stopping," said the German, who won the US Grand Prix on September 28 to open a nine-point lead over Finnish rival Kimi Raikkonen.

"The main point is simply the love of the sport. Honestly, what could be better than to do what you love to do? This year the competition is on a much, much higher level. But it is something very unique to have an environment where...there is nothing else you want to do."

The 34-year-old Schumacher, who won two championships for Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before capturing the title for Ferrari the past three seasons, has repeatedly had to fend off questions about his future in recent weeks.

His manager, Willi Weber, also denied the retirement rumours last week.

"Michael has a contract with Ferrari until 2006 and he's definitely going to fulfil it," said Weber.

Schumacher needs just one point at Suzuka on Sunday to be certain of overtaking Juan Manuel Fangio to claim an unprecedented sixth world title. He has won at Suzuka five times overall, including all of the last three years.

"I have been reasonably successful there," Schumacher said with some understatement. "It's probably very difficult to envision the race up front, but I simply love the circuit."