Schumacher Hits Out at Retirement Suggestions

World Champion Michael Schumacher has hit back at suggestions that he might turn his back on Formula One sooner than expected, saying he had no thoughts of retirement and loved racing.

"I am looking to the future and I will continue racing in Formula One because it still gives me great pleasure," the Ferrari driver told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "There are too many people mouthing off about me and about that famous tiredness."

"I have spoken clearly, unequivocally about it. Yet every so often there's someone who wakes up and decides to turn his thoughts to me. If anyone, whoever he is, speaks of me and my feelings, he cannot in any case say what I feel or plan to do. Please don't bother me about it. Do I have to repeat why I was distracted at Monza?," asked the German.

Schumacher has said that the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, coupled with the serious injury suffered by Italian Alex Zanardi in a CART race, hit him badly before the Italian Grand Prix last month. Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn suggested at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis last weekend that the 32-year-old had even considered retirement.

The speculation surrounding the four times champion continued this week when McLaren rival Mika Hakkinen, who is taking a year out next season, told a German magazine that he believed Schumacher could call it a day soon.

"I see certain signs that lead me to doubt whether he will continue driving for a long time," said the Finn. Schumacher explained again that his wife and children had helped him recover after Monza and said he hoped people would soon talk about something else.