• Belgian Grand Prix

Schumacher won't make decision on future until October

Michael Schumacher: "I'm afraid there is no news" © Sutton Images

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Michael Schumacher will not announce his plans for his future until October, despite celebrating his 300th grand prix in Belgium this weekend.

Schumacher is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of this year and whether he will retire or not has been a source of constant speculation in recent months. But the seven-time world champion said he is sticking to his original plan of making a decision in October.

"I think we made a very clear statement sometime ago that by October we will be able to give indications and nothing has changed since then," he said. "So I'm afraid there is no news."

Schumacher said hitting 300 races was a "beautiful" moment in his career, but insisted he was not out to break Rubens Barrichello's record of 326 (which would require another season).

"It's certainly an interesting, beautiful and nice number to be around," he said. "I didn't even think I would do that at the time that I retired at the end of 2006 and he we are and now I'm counting the 300. At some point it was the talk about whether someone would be able to beat Riccardo Patrese's record of 257 and at the time I said that was not interesting for me, but here we are. Certainly it is not something I am challenging or looking for - to have a certain number on my board - but being the 300 is a beautiful side effect."

Schumacher was greeted at Spa-Francorchamps on Thursday by a banner reading "Make it 400" as well as being made an honorary citizen of Spa. Asked if he would make 400 races, Schumacher said: "I guess I can say no... but it's obviously nice that the fans are still with me and encouraging me to go on.

He added: "This morning I had a beautiful welcome becoming an honorary citizen of Spa and that is something that is very special for me and it's very special that the 300th comes at Spa. If you think of all the things that have happened to me here in Spa - first race, first victory, in 2004 the seventh title, last year the 20th anniversary and now the 300 - it's a full package. I always called Spa my living room and now I can officially call it my living room."

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