Ahead of the San Marino Grand Prix, one of Ferrari's two 'home' races, Michael Schumacher has admitted that he is in talks with the Italian outfit regarding the possibility of extending his contract beyond the 2006 season.

"To tell you the truth, Jean (Todt) is talking with me about extending my contract," the German told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Sometimes we talk about drivers, but in very general terms."

In a week when Todt revealed that there are a couple of drivers he rates better than current championship leader, Fernando Alonso, Schumacher was asked who he rates, and who might be a fitting replacement once he finally cries "enough".

"I consider him (Alonso), Raikkonen, Massa and Webber to be very good drivers," he said.

Referring to Flavio Briatore's recent statement, whereby the Italian said that Alonso - who he manages - would never join Ferrari whilst Schumacher is still with the Italian team, the seven-time World Champion said: "Apart from the fact that I don't believe Jean has said he would like to have Alonso, I can only comment that Briatore is using Ferrari to make his driver more attractive and earn more."

Schumacher won his first two titles with Briatore at Benetton, when the Italian grabbed the German following a spectacular F1 debut with Jordan at Spa Francorchamps in 1991.