Formula One: Renault Look to Schumacher

Michael Schumacher may revive his working relationship with Flavio Briatore next year if Renault are successful in tempting the German away from Ferrari. The seven-times world champion has been targeted by Renault to replace the title holder Fernando Alonso when he moves to McLaren-Mercedes for the 2007 season.

It emerged yesterday that Briatore, who was the Benetton principal when Schumacher won the first two of his championships with the team in 1994 and 1995, recently approached the driver's manager Willi Weber to register an interest in the 37-year old. However, Weber told Briatore it would be premature to open any negotiations until it became clear whether Schumacher wanted to continue racing.

"I told Flavio clearly that we are not talking to anyone until Michael decides whether he wants to," Weber said. "Flavio let on that we should talk to him before we sign another possible contract with Ferrari. He seems to be interested. But the truth is we would first talk with Ferrari."

Schumacher has a contract with Ferrari to the end of this year and has hinted that it is unlikely he would consider racing for another team in formula one.

Yet, with the new Ferrari 248F1 struggling to display competitive form in the first three races of the year, it is possible he may be swayed by Renault's seamless transition into 2006 which has seen their new type R26 challenger winning all three races. If Briatore can pull off a deal, it would be a coup. But should Schumacher resist Renault's overtures, then the highly rated test driver Heikki Kovalainen is tipped to fill the vacancy caused by Alonso's departure.

Briatore made it clear he will not be discussing the matter in public. "The important thing is to have a competitive team," he said. "When the team is strong enough, then you attract strong drivers. We still have 16 races to go and people will try and talk about this every weekend. But we will only talk about our drivers when the decision has been taken."