Michael Schumacher's plans for 2013 are unknown. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Schumacher Might Not Return To Retirement: Michael Schumacher may not be returning to retirement. Much like in 2006, when Ferrari replaced him with Kimi Raikkonen, the seven-time World Champion has now been elbowed out at Mercedes to make room for Lewis Hamilton. Some expect the 43-year-old to now return to retirement, or take up a job offer on Mercedes' management side. But Schumacher has also been linked with Sauber, whose Sergio Perez will move to McLaren next year to replace Hamilton. Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm was spotted in conversation with Sauber chiefs Peter Sauber and Monisha Kaltenborn recently. "I don't want to give him (Schumacher) advice, as I am sure he will consider his future carefully and calmly. We will see what he decides," said Niki Lauda. The fact Lauda is not simply wishing Schumacher well for his retirement is significant, as the Austrian legend is set to join Mercedes as non-executive chairman. "I don't know the details," the triple World Champion told SID news agency, "but generally I don't think he is too old for Formula One. His comeback was surely not as good as he imagined, but in those three years he never had a really fast and reliable car." Swiss commentator Marc Surer, meanwhile, said it is fairly obvious that the loss of the Mercedes seat was "not voluntary" for Schumacher, as the great German has insisted for weeks that he will only announce his intentions in October. Surer told German Sky television: "I can imagine that one team or another will be very interested in him (for 2013). The problem could be the price."

Massa Says Ferrari's 2013 Decision Coming Soon: With the 2013 grid now coming together, Felipe Massa said on Friday he has a good chance to stay at Ferrari. After McLaren and Mercedes announced their driver lineups for next year, Brazilian Massa was asked about the latest speculation that he is heading for a new Ferrari contract. It follows Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo telling Autosprint that he will make the final decision in "two or three days." "But I have to say that Felipe has driven very well lately," he said. Massa is confident. "There is a good chance that I will stay at Ferrari," he told Italy's Sky Sport 24. "Are my chances good? I certainly think so. I am rather confident in that respect. I think a decision will be reached within a short matter of time."

Pic 'Not Afraid' Of Becoming Next Marussia Refugee: Charles Pic insists he is "not afraid" about following his Marussia predecessors through F1's exit. Before the well-backed Frenchman made his debut this year, the team ran Jerome d'Ambrosio (2011) and Lucas di Grassi (2010, as Virgin) as the experienced German Timo Glock's teammate. Belgian d'Ambrosio left to become Lotus' reserve driver after one season, while Brazilian di Grassi subsequently spent time as a Pirelli test driver but is now moving to touring cars. "I'm not afraid about (experiencing) a scenario like that of Lucas di Grassi and Jerome d'Ambrosio," 22-year-old Pic said in an interview with the Dutch magazine Formule 1. "All I can do is work as hard as possible and do my best. I'll wait and see what happens at the end of the year." According to strong paddock speculation, Pic is tipped to take the solid funding of his family's business — leading European transport company Groupe Charles Andre — to Caterham in 2013. His likely successor is the similarly well-funded British GP2 driver Max Chilton, whose father is the vice-chairman of the major insurance multinational Aon. But Pic is not ruling out staying at Marussia. "Compared to some other teams, it is obviously smaller, but I'm getting to develop very well and it's nice to work on growing up together," he said.

Renault 'Definitely' Staying In F1 - CEO Ghosn: Carlos Ghosn, the chief executive of Renault, said he does not regret keeping the Paris-based carmaker in Formula One. Renault no longer owns and runs its own team, but amid the manufacturer exodus of a few years ago, the marque chose to stay on the grid as an engine supplier. "We are involved and we want to stay, definitely," Ghosn said at the Paris motor show. "We made the right decision around 2008-2009, when many others like Toyota, Honda and BMW left completely. We stayed," he is quoted by the Russian website f1news.ru. "We supply engines to a team (Red Bull) that has already won two titles and still leads this constructors' championship." Renault Sport F1 also supplies customer engines to Lotus, Williams and Caterham, and is actively developing a V6 unit for the new rules in 2014. "We will stay in Formula One — we have a lot of obligations," said Ghosn. Meanwhile, Ghosn said he "understands" the French government's decision to refuse financial support to Grand Prix projects proposed by Paul Ricard and Magny Cours. "In the current situation it is necessary to use the budget for primary needs," he said.

Massa's Results, Mentality Have improved - Montezemolo: Luca di Montezemolo has hinted Felipe Massa has done enough to stay at Ferrari in 2013. Reports on Thursday quoted the Ferrari president as saying it will take "a few more days" until the identity of Fernando Alonso's next teammate is decided. Other reports have said Brazilian Massa will secure an eighth consecutive season with the famous Maranello-based team, with an announcement possibly imminent. When asked about Massa, Montezemolo said at the Paris motor show: "I hope that the progress we have seen since Spa, on the results side but also psychologically, are confirmed in Japan." The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka will be held next weekend. On Spaniard and championship leader Alonso, Montezemolo said the 31-year-old is the "strongest driver I have ever seen. He also impresses me for three reasons: the interpretation of the race and especially the tire wear, his great motivational influence on the team, and his (regular) presence at Maranello."

Alguersuari To Skip 2012 Races To Regain Fitness: Jaime Alguersuari has given another clear sign that he is set to return to competitive Formula One action next year. After losing his Toro Rosso seat at the end of last year, the 22-year-old Spaniard has been Pirelli's main tire tester. Alguersuari has also been coming to all the Grands Prix as a co-commentator for British radio, but he has announced that he will not be at the next four races in Japan, Korea, India and Abu Dhabi. "It (the absences) had been planned for some time," he told the BBC. "It's better for me to prepare for next year, to keep my training up, as I'm sure I will be back driving in F1." Alguersuari said he will return to the commentary booth for the final two races of the season, in Austin and Brazil. Apparently having found some sponsors, he is linked with a return next year with Sauber or Force India.