Ralf Still to Decide on F1 Future

Ralf Schumacher promised today that he will remain in Formula One next season despite contract wranglings with Williams, but admits his future could lie away from the Grove-based team.

Schumacher has yet to agree a new deal with Williams with his current contract expiring at the end of the season, and his estimated £10 million a-year salary demands are proving to be a stumbling block.

Toyota have admitted they are keen to sign the German driver to head their challenge for 2005 as Schumacher's manager Willi Weber looks for alternative options if talks with Williams do break down.

"One thing is certain, I will be in Formula One (next season)," Schumacher said ahead of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. "I just don't know where I am going to be next year. That is nothing to do with Frank (Williams) or Patrick (Head) discussing whether I would be good enough or not. It is basically in my hands to decide what I want, but we still have to wait.

"I have been a long time in this team, working very hard, and in general I still believe that Williams is and always has been a very strong team and I still believe in the ability of the engineers. We have very good people and it is just putting them together.

"But needing fresh motivation is not the case. I am pretty motivated, and basically just pissed off with what has happened this year with my own performance and the car."

Schumacher has scored just nine points in a disappointing start to the season, with teammate Juan Pablo Montoya on 18 points from the opening four races. Patrick Head, Williams' technical director, was critical of Schumacher's erratic driving this season during the San Marino Grand Prix and claimed he was suffering from the uncertainty of where his future lies.

"I always try to do well," Schumacher added. "It is nothing to do with the situation for me. It is not that it will depend on a few good race results and it is not about the future, anyway. I am basically pretty angry with myself if things don't work out the way I want them to. I don't think so much about other things."