Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn has dropped his biggest hint yet that Michael Schumacher will extend his contract with the Brackley outfit.
The seven times world champion signed a three-year deal with the team back in 2010, but Brawn suggests any extension would be based on his performances which have been on the whole ‘positive’ according to the 57-year-old.
“We need to analyse the start of the season very carefully,” Brawn told Sport Bild. “We have not reached our goals with Michael. It was not about the car and Michael being too slow; it’s just been a few unfortunate circumstances coming together.
“After his accident in Barcelona, Michael was very unhappy, but after qualifying in Monaco he was very happy. I think basically the positive feelings outweigh the negative this season. With the pole position, Michael showed what he is still capable of, so there is no reason for us to not want to continue with him.”
Brawn however reiterated that any extension past 2012 would be based on how he performs and admitted they had no plans in place to replace him next season.
“If we achieve our goals together with him, he like us will probably be interested in going on. If we all feel that it is right to continue, it will happen.
“We have no real plan B, although one or two people have asked us about our situation for 2013.”
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