Motorsport: You'll never take the Michael out of Ferrari

While all the F1 huffing and puffing is over Ferrari's improved chances of finally pipping runaway leaders Renault at the San Marino GP at Imola tonight (NZT), the real story is whether Michael Schumacher will stay at Ferrari, swap to Renault or retire.

The engimatic German is giving nothing away but many observers of the F1 circus feel that Schumi is now most likely to stay ringside at Ferrari, in spite of the fact Renault boss Flavio Briatore has been wooing Schumacher following the impending loss of world champion Fernando Alonso, of Renault, to McLaren next season.

That was the catalyst which started the supposed chain reaction involving Alonso leaping into McLaren's arms and Schumacher quietly folding himself into a Renault cockpit, with McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen moving to Ferrari.

As ever with F1, the sums of money being bandied about are colossal. Alonso is getting US$100m for his switch. The Spaniard, who has now won three of the last four races - the season-ending GP at Shanghai and two of the first three this season - has squirmed uncomfortably when asked whether he thinks Schumacher will shift to Renault, before delivering a broadside that the German would not go to Renault for the amount of money on offer.

But it looks increasingly like the 37-year-old Schumacher may stay with Ferrari anyway, even after the arrival of the very quick Raikkonen and after conjecture that, with his unique F1 record intact (Alonso does not think he will ever equal Schuamcher's 84 GP wins), F1 holds less of a thrill for the German.

Some observers have reported Schumacher looking not at all like a man readying himself for retirement at practices and other events - rather, more like a man whose desire has been ignited anew.

It may be, too, that money is less of an issue for Schumacher than it was and the drums are starting to beat that he will accept Ferrari's financial offer, even if that exposes him to equal billing with the up-and-coming Raikkonen.

Schumacher is regarded as a man redder than red, a man whose bloodstream might change direction (and colour) if forced to drive for anyone other than Ferrari. That was why many supposed that retirement would be an option if he was being forced out by Raikkonen.

"I am so happy here [at Ferrari]," Schumacher told the Times. "We have such a good relationship and have known each other for so long that I would have to have a very good reason to move to another team. It is more complex than just considering myself... such as whether the team is competitive and what other things are going on."

So the betting has firmed on Schumacher staying put - albeit for a lesser salary and with Raikkonen as an equal, the first time the majestic German has had to contend with that.

Competition from within, competition from Alonso - the scene is set for a real burst from Schumacher and Ferrari to prove, finally, that they are not a spent force and that Renault are not as dominant now as Ferrari used to be. Many are betting that Schumi wants to show it is not the car but the driver.

Add to that the fact that Imola is Ferrari's home track - just a short drive from their Maranello factory - and that Schumacher has an unsurpassed record there. Ferrari did not win there for 15 years between 1983 and 1999. Since then, Schumacher has won all but two Imolas - the latest last year when he furiously chased Alonso home and when Raikkonen (who had been leading) dropped out with mechanical problems after only nine laps.

Schumacher and Ferrari are hinting their car now has more to offer. Many doubt they have fixed the engine problems of the last two GPs.

But, if the reports are right, Schumi's determination alone could power this car.