Schumacher says ‘no, no, no’ to retirement

The German ended Ferrari's 21-year drivers' title drought at the Japanese Grand Prix and followed it up with victory at last weekend's Malaysian GP. The Sepang win took his tally to nine for the season, equalling the record held jointly by himself and Nigel Mansell, but Schumacher says he wants to achieve more success with the Prancing Horse before hanging up his helmet.

"It has taken five years at Ferrari to be competitive from the first race until the last," said Schumacher. "Now that we have it, we have to take advantage of it. I enjoy racing, I enjoy Ferrari and I want to have some more of these times. Why not enjoy them together?

"These rumours are simply without any foundation," he added. "I have no intention to leave Ferrari in the near future. No, no and no again."

Schumacher added that his motivation for F1 remained as strong as ever, despite taking his third title.

"I like the ups and downs of F1 races," he said. "They leave you high one time and in the dumps the next moment. The thrill will not leave you - you just have to live with it.

"You must be able to feel it no matter what you do in the race. It is not just winning the titles anymore. I can see myself going on for some years more. I'm young, only 31."

Mika Hakkinen, whose dream of a world title hat-trick was thwarted by Schumacher's title victory, has also confirmed that he will carry on racing, despite he and his wife Erja expecting their first child at Christmas.

"I have the motivation to continue in the future," he said. "Even if I had won the championship, and even though I didn't, I will continue."