Michael Schumacher’s brother has tipped the seven time world champion to keep racing beyond his 44th birthday.
Schumacher’s Mercedes deal runs out this year, but talks about a new contract for 2013 are yet to be discussed.
Ralf Schumacher, also a grand prix winner and six years younger than his more famous sibling, was asked by Bild am Sonntag newspaper about Michael’s recent anti-Pirelli outburst.
Asked if it was an overreaction to the fact his teammate Nico Rosberg was the first Mercedes driver to win in 2012, Ralf answered: "It has nothing to do with it.
"But for sure Michael came back to celebrate successes with Mercedes. And until he succeeds, he will not give up.
"I still see a lot of fire in Michael," said Ralf Schumacher, now a DTM driver with Mercedes.
"He is pushing hard, as we saw as recently as Mugello last week."
Ralf said Mercedes’ 2012 F1 car, the W03, is well built.
"I think we will see Michael on the podium soon," he insisted.
"At some point, there surely comes a point when the body can’t do it any more. But when I look at Michael, that’s still a few years away.
"I certainly won’t be racing as long as he has," he laughed.