Briatore poised to decide his future

The flamboyant Italian's contract with the French car manufacturer runs out at the end of the year and he has been pushed by the company's chiefs to re-commit to them - especially after the manner in which he has helped make them world champions.

Although he has previously said that he would wait until Formula One's summer break before deciding his future, he has told autosport.com that he will think about what he wants to do in the next few days before announcing his plans next week.

"I'll say something in Hockenheim," said Briatore, who made it clear that it was still not definite that he will be staying on despite Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn recently visiting the team's Enstone factory to talk to him. "I've not decided yet. We are still talking about it, and I want this week to think about it."

Briatore has spent the last few months bidding to find a replacement for world champion Fernando Alonso, and is still holding out hope that he can lure Kimi Raikkonen from the clutches of Ferrari.

When asked what the latest was on the situation, he said: "I don't know. Let's see. Let's see what happens with Ferrari."

When asked whether he believed that Raikkonen would get released by Ferrari from whatever agreement he has made with the team, Briatore said he was unsure.

"It depends if Michael stays or not. I am sure Michael doesn't want to drive with Kimi. What for?"

Then, with a smile across his face, he said: "Maybe we will have Schumacher and Alonso..."