Michael tells Ralf to take a sabbatical

With Ralf Schumacher having endured a difficult test with Force India this week, his older brother is adamant that he should think twice before committing himself to any team that is not at the front of the grid.

"I don't know all his options, but before he drives like he did yesterday it is better to think about if it makes sense to drive knowing you can only come last," the seven-time world champion said during a break in testing at Jerez on Friday.

"I think there are more reasonable, safer, wealthier and nicer options for him. I told him personally that there are so many nice things outside of F1. But I don't know all his options. There are other cockpits which are not taken, so he might see other options."

Schumacher admitted that if Ralf still felt he could deliver good results then he should stay, but pointed out that he was young enough to take a break.

"If he can get a good result then he should. He is able to bring good results and he is motivated to do so.

"But it is different for me. I would not be so motivated to race, and if it doesn't fit then maybe he should stop and have a break. He is young enough to stop, re-evaluate the situation and come back.

"I have to say my experience in coming back in Barcelona showed I did not have trouble coming back. I did not lose a bit, so he can do it too."

Schumacher reiterated at this week's test that he had absolutely no desire to return to racing in F1, and that he got enough satisfaction from just testing for Ferrari.

"No, definitely not," he said when asked if he was coming back. "Even if I test and help the team in a hundred different places of development, there is no pressure or stress.

"If I think of racing, all that (stress) comes back. So it's just nice to drive some laps, step out and just enjoy it."