Schumacher and Renault
Faced with the F1 paddock's latest rumor, Willi Weber confessed to the German 'Bild' newspaper that Briatore – who carried Schumacher to title triumph at Benetton in the 90s – has 'shown interest' in snapping up the Ferrari star for 2007.
Seven time world champion Schumacher is refusing to talk about his future beyond 2006 on the grid until the summer.
''Flavio and I often talk to each other,'' Weber was quoted as saying, ''as we have known each other for a long time.''
Regarding their latest chats, however, Schumacher's manager said Briatore made it clear that 'we should talk (again)' prior to any decision to re-sign with the red-colored team.
''(He said) he would probably be interested,'' Weber added.
But the German manager reportedly told Flavio that he is staging serious talks 'with no-one' until Schumacher makes his decision about whether or not to hang up his helmet for good.
'Flav', who turned fifty six this week, has a vacancy at the French-owned Renault team because world champion Fernando Alonso is switching to McLaren.
One of many possible spanners in the works, however, would be Briatore and Renault's refusal to meet Schumacher's huge wage demands.