Schuey denies Ferrari exit rumours

World champion Michael Schumacher insists he is not considering quitting Ferrari, despite recent rumours.

The German was this week linked with an unlikely switch to McLaren after meetings with Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug, a claim all parties deny.

Schumacher has spoken out against rumours of a pay dispute leading to a possible switch and re-affirmed his commitment to Ferrari, with whom he has a contract until 2006.

The seven-time world champion claims such speculation is inevitable in the week before the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Ferrari tested this week.

“It was clear that the topic of a possible change of team would pursue me here in testing,” he told his personal website, www.michael-schumacher.de. “We always have something in the run-up to the Italian Grand Prix.

“Firstly I can say I am still very happy to be at Ferrari, independent of monetary issues. Secondly I am not thinking of leaving for another team. To be honest, I have already said that many times and it has never changed.”