Todt: Schumacher can Stay Indefinitely

Michael Schumacher will have a seat at the Ferrari team as long as he wants to drive in Formula One, team boss Jean Todt has said

"As long as he wants to stay in F1, he has a Ferrari car available to him," Todt said at Monza.

Schumacher's contract at Ferrari expires after the 2006 season, and the German seven-time World Champion said on Thursday that he will not make a decision about his future before next year.

Despite rumours linking Schumacher with a move to McLaren, Todt said the World Champion would want to stay at Ferrari if he keeps on racing beyond 2006.

"When Michael came to us he was only 25 and 11 years later he is still here," added Todt. "I don't know what he will decide. Michael was clear yesterday, he said his life in F1 was mainly linked to Ferrari.

"All the successes, five times World Champion with Ferrari, 65 GP wins for Ferrari... He wants to stay, if he decided to stay in F1. If Michael wants to stay he will stay.

"We are in August 2005, honestly it is too early. He is not prepared to discuss that. There is plenty of time."

Todt also said that talks about Kimi Raikkonen having signed a contract to join Ferrari in 2007 were wide of the mark, despite the Frenchman having praised the Finn's talent.

"When I get asked who is the most talented young guy, Kimi is definitely amongst them, no doubt about that. But just because a young driver has a lot of talent, you cannot say he has signed with Ferrari."