MICHAEL SCHUMACHER announced yesterday that he was about to extend his Ferrari contract till 1998. Just six days before the German grand prix, the formula one star said during a press conference at his home town of Kerpen, Germany, that there were "only a few little things to sort out. If everything goes well, I will be staying with Ferrari till 1998.

Schumacher also supported Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt, who was heavily criticised after a poor showing at the French grand prix recently.