F1 Needs Schumacher, Says Webber

Formula One is not ready for World Champion Michael Schumacher to retire, according to Australian Jaguar driver Mark Webber.

"The guy just never gives up and makes other drivers look ordinary because he doesn't make mistakes," Webber told the Jaguar-Racing website. "He's a real professional and I think it's important that he continues to race in Formula One because I don't think the sport is ready for him to leave.

"If he were to go there are only a few guys who would be able to establish themselves. It's too early for him to leave us."

34-year old Schumacher clinched a record-breaking sixth world title in 2003, becoming only the second driver in history, apart from Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio, to win four titles in a row.

"It's absolutely phenomenal what he's done," Webber added. "He had a very lucky break at the Nurburgring when he was pushed into the gravel and Kimi [Raikkonen] blew up. But he was also very unlucky at Hockenheim and Budapest where he was stuck behind Jarno [Trulli] so it all evens out and he fully deserved to win the title."

Schumacher has a contract with his Ferrari team until the end of the 2006 season.