Schumacher Not Tempted by Other Teams

World Champion Michael Schumacher has ruled out the possibility of moving to another Formula One team once his contract with Ferrari expires at the end of 2004.

With 53 race wins and four world drivers titles under his belt, Schumacher could be excused for starting to think about life after Formula One, but the 32-year-old said retirement was still the furthest thing from his mind.

Schumacher still has another three years to run on his contract but hasn't ruled out extending his deal. The only thing he said he had ruled out was leaving the Italian manufacturer to join a rival team.

"The type of team we have now is an ideal situation for a racing driver and I don't see any other team that would interest me," he said. "There is no temptation - if at all the temptation is to discuss what happens after that.

"That is together with Ferrari and nobody else, that is pretty clear."

Schumacher is chasing his third straight victory at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit but believes this year's race will be the hardest to win. He said the problems with the new Ferrari and the improvements made by the McLaren and Williams teams meant there was no clear favourite for the race.

"It's a lot more of a challenge, it's going to be very interesting," the German said. "It's going to be very competitive... with the four drivers from McLaren and Williams, but who will be the one? We will have to wait and see... because there is a reasonable number of question marks."