Schumacher Wants Imola to Stay on F1 Calendar

World Champion Michael Schumacher has offered to do what he can to keep Imola's San Marino Grand Prix on the F1 calendar.

"It's sort of a home Grand Prix for me, being the ambassador of San Marino," the German Ferrari driver said on Thursday at the central Italian circuit named after late Ferrari founder Enzo and his son Dino.

"It's good to come here. Obviously, we all know about the rumours about the future of the San Marino Grand Prix. So from my side I hope that they don't come true. If I can do anything then I will try. But I think there is very little in my hands to do."

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said that this year's race will be the last at Imola, with the calendar already stretched more than ever with 18 races and Turkey due to make its debut in 2005.

Asked this month about the race's future, however, he suggested it could win a reprieve, though the circuit needs refurbishment to survive and local organisers are seeking government funding.

Six-times champion Schumacher, an honorary ambassador for the nearby republic, has the best record of any driver at Imola, the closest circuit to Ferrari's Maranello factory.

The Championship leader has won the San Marino Grand Prix four times in the last five years and five times in all. He has also finished runner-up on four occasions.