Schmi considered return

The legendary German hung up his helmet after 16 seasons in the top flight in 2006, and at the end of a glorious, record-breaking career that yielded no fewer than 91 victories, seven world championship crowns and a staggering 1,369 points.

The recently-turned 40-year-old - now an advisor and occasional test driver for Ferrari, with whom he achieved five of his title glories - has revealed that since retiring he has considered returning to the grid “perhaps two times”, even if he came to dismiss all offers.

"I have had a few interesting possibilities," the man from Kerpen told German newspaper Bild, "but I rejected them all almost immediately.

"I would only be racing for the sake of it or for fun and, no, that's not my thing."

Schumacher has since flirted with motorcycle racing with a number of low-key appearances in European championships, but has repeatedly insisted that he has no interest in beginning a second career on two wheels.