Ralf calls for tighter driver contracts

Schumacher's comments come in the wake of the dismissal of Heinz-Harald Frentzen from the Jordan team before last month's German Grand Prix.

"I must say usually a contract is there to write it once and sign it and never look at it again," he said. "But then I must be fair with Heinz: the only team I ever had to look at it again is the team he suffered with, so I wish him all the best.

"I think there is a danger in the future of looking at a contract like that, with team mates changing through the season," he added, "and I hope that point with drivers and teams will be much stronger for the future so this can't happen."

Frentzen, who has swapped seats with former Prost driver Jean Alesi for the rest of the season, has refused to discuss details of his sacking, but appears confident of a successful outcome if and when the matter goes to court.

"The small details that I gave away were just the facts," he said, "the fact that Jordan had faxed me after the Silverstone Grand Prix, and that's all I want to say about this. Everything will go into court, that's for sure, and the rest I will leave Eddie to say.

"I think I have a good contract - or had a good contract - at Jordan. We'll see. It has been terminated obviously and there is some discussion behind it, which we will decide in court. A contract is there to help the relationship or... make it difficult."