Schu to McLaren?

UPDATE Ferrari's Michael Schumacher has denied speculation that he might quit the Prancing Horse and join McLaren for the 2007 season. ''I don't even want to comment on (the) rumors,'' the seven time world champion – whose Maranello contract runs out at the end of next year – told his website. ''Everyone knows how closely linked Ferrari and I are.'' That might be so, but the German is not enjoying the F2005's discomforting lack of pace, and Mercedes' Norbert Haug confirmed that two meetings – one in Hungary and another in Istanbul – did indeed take place. Besides, Raikkonen and Montoya are not leaving and with Schu coming close to retirement age, there is no way they will take Schu. 08/22/05 Michael Schumacher is so fed up with Ferrari's lack of pace that he could quit the Maranello based Prancing Horse, a rumor whistled around the Istanbul paddock on Sunday evening.

Most shrugged off the speculation as fanciful. But Germany's 'Bild' newspaper claims that the 36-year-old twice met with countryman and Mercedes' Norbert Haug in Bernie Ecclestone's motor home — once in Hungary and now in Turkey.

''It is true that we met,'' Haug told the newspaper when asked about the McLaren switch link, ''but we spoke only about the future of formula one. I take it as rather unlikely that he would leave Ferrari.''

'Bild' also claims that Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, has put negotiations with Ferrari – about a post-2006 driving contract – on ice. Michael drove for the Sauber-Mercedes sports car team prior to debuting in formula one.