Renault keeps tabs on Schumacher
Renault boss Flavio Briatore has admitted Michael Schumacher is on a list of potential replacements for Fernando Alonso.
The world champion quits Renault for McLaren at the end of this season, leaving Briatore to search for a new star driver.
Briatore launched Schumacher on his way to stardom in Formula One at Benetton and recent speculation linked the German with a return to the team, now known as Renault.
Briatore denied any discussions with Schumacher but revealed the seven-time world champion is one of just a handful of drivers qualified to replace Alonso.
Schumacher’s Ferrari contract expires at the end of the season so he would be free to switch.
Briatore said: “I do my job, he is doing a job for Ferrari and maybe you should go and ask (Ferrari boss) Jean Todt if he drives there next season.
“I am looking for somebody to win races with our car. There are three or four guys in Formula One who can win races with our car and Michael is one of them. He could win races sitting in our car.”
Briatore revealed Schumacher’s age would not necessarily pose a problem, even though he will be 38 when next season starts. The Italian said: “It’s like red wine – old is better.”
Another driver linked to Renault is Juan Pablo Montoya, whose McLaren deal expires this year.
With Alonso on board for 2007, at least one of McLaren’s current drivers - Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen – must make way.
Raikkonen is linked to Ferrari but even if he leaves, Montoya’s future at McLaren is uncertain after a patchy 18 months with the team.
As well as Renault, Red Bull have been mooted a potential new home for the flamboyant Colombian, but he insists a future at McLaren is still possible.
“I think the door is open here,” he said. “There are possibilities but. When the time comes to make a decision I will make it.”
The 30-year-old claims he is not worrying about what next year has in store but concentrating on impressing this season.
He added: “I will just look at everything and see what happens.
“It’s hard to say what’s going to happen, there are a lot of options and I’ve got to take the right one. I’ve got to make sure I am putting myself in the best position for next year.
“I don’t have a problem, I don’t even think of it – I am focused on doing the best job I can.”
