Norbert Haug has played down expectations Michael Schumacher’s plans beyond the 2012 season will be discussed and decided during the month-long August break.
With the seven time world champion’s three-year ’comeback’ contract set to expire this year, it might be said the big gap between Sunday’s Hungarian grand prix and F1’s next outing at fabled Spa-Francorchamps in early September is an ideal opportunity for his crucial talks with Mercedes.
News of a new deal would also be timely, given Schumacher’s special connection with the Belgian grand prix, and the fact the 2012 event coincides with the triple-century milestone in the 43-year-old’s epic grand prix career.
But Haug, carmaker Mercedes’ motor racing chief, insisted the sport’s fans and media should not be expecting that news at Spa.
"I doubt there will be an announcement at Spa. This is going to take a little bit longer," he is quoted by SID news agency.
Schumacher made his F1 debut at Spa-Francorchamps in 1991, winning his first of 91 career victories at the same Belgian circuit a year later.
He won five other Belgian grands prix (1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002), which is an outright record.