Schumi insists he still has fire in his belly

Twenty years on from his sensational debut as a virtually unknown Formula One driver, Michael Schumacher has this week insisted that he will race with Mercedes in 2012 despite widespread rumours that he is set to quit.

The seven-time drivers world champion, now 42, has struggled through a disappointing season so far, but broke off from the final days of his summer holidays to stress that he has no plans to walk away - and no knowledge that he is about to be released.

The great German driver has one year remaining on his contract and has also been given the backing of team boss Norbert Haug.