Ralf certain his seat with Toyota is safe

The German has come under pressure from his team bosses to up his game after a disappointing start to the season.

And, after he qualified 20th in Monaco, there had been suggestions that he needed an upturn in performance if the team were not to consider replacing him.

Speculation about his position resurfaced after another torrid time in qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix, where Schumacher qualified 18th and failed to make it out of Q1, but the German remains confident about his position.

"I have a contract with Toyota and, be rest assured, you will see me in that car at least until the end of the season if not longer," said Schumacher, who is also in discussions with Toyota about a new contract.

Schumacher, who is a former winner in Montreal, blamed traffic in qualifying for his poor performance.

"The speed was there but I came into my lap and there were four cars coming out of the pits," he explained. "One decided to stay in front of me, so I had both laps in traffic."