Schumacher will keep going says Brawn

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn believes that Michael Schumacher will keep racing beyond 2004 when his current contract with the Maranello squad expires. Many think that Schumacher will quit at the end of the 2004 season but Brawn is convinced the five-time world champion is not ready to leave Formula One.

Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher.

Photo by Ferrari Media Center.

Brawn, Ferrari team principal Jean Todt and designer Rory Byrne all reach the end of their current contracts at the end of 2004 as well. The technical director can't see the team of key players that has won so much success will split up or move elsewhere.

"I can't see myself working for another Formula One team at the moment. I can't see any reason why I would want to do that," he commented. "If that continues, there is every reason I'll stay longer than 2004. That just happens to be a date that is the end of my current agreement. Jean and Rory and Michael, we are so fortunate that none of us are going to let it drop easily, so watch this space."

"It's very enjoyable. We all love Ferrari, and I don't think we're all going to stop in 2004 and let it drop. They are things to be discussed in the future in a few more years but none of us want to harm Ferrari and for sure Ferrari will continue in a very competitive position for much longer than 2004."

Brawn says Ferrari's success is down to hard work and making the most of rivals being unsettled this season: "Our people are doing a fantastic job. There is a little bit of a situation of McLaren getting used to Michelin tyres. Williams are rebuilding a little bit in terms of their technical structure. So we've come strong when they're perhaps passing through a bit of a development phase. It's incredible."