Michael Schumacher is in his third and final season with Mercedes. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Schumacher Rules Out Motorbike Racing Return: Michael Schumacher has ruled out falling back on two wheels as he prepares once again for F1 retirement. The great German raced in the German superbike series at times during his three-year 'sabbatical' in the wake of his Ferrari career, and narrowly escaped serious injury in one particular spill. Schumacher told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that racing motorbikes is "great fun", but he also acknowledged that it is "definitely" more dangerous than F1. "I am very willing to learn," he smiled. "What that means is that I will not do any more motorcycle racing."

Rumors Grow As Porsche Signs F1 People: There are rumors in the paddock that Porsche is considering a formula one foray, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. The VW-brand Porsche is returning to Le Mans, but the magazine said rumors are swirling that the project is merely "a warm-up" for F1. Auto Motor und Sport said Porsche is busily signing-up personnel with F1 experience, including Fritz Enzinger, Alex Hitzinger, Mike Krack and recent Sauber engineer Urs Kuratle. And the report said Porsche is also expressing interest in people from teams up and down pitlane. Porsche is establishing its Weissach facility as a state of the art motor sport factory complete with wind tunnel, while the marque's drivers are reportedly having hours booked in the McLaren simulator. "The Formula One paddock wonders whether the expense is really intended only for Le Mans," said Auto Motor und Sport.

Hulkenberg Manager Not Denying Sauber Switch: Nico Hulkenberg signed his new Sauber contract before leaving Korea on Sunday evening, the authoritative German magazine Auto Motor und Sport reports. After being dumped by Williams after his impressive 2010 debut, the 25-year-old German returned to the grid with Force India this year, having served a season as reserve driver. Faced with the Sauber rumor on Monday, Hulkenberg's manager Timo Gans said: "I don't want to confirm or deny. "The drivers' contracts are announced by the relevant teams. I don't want to pre-empt anything."

Buemi Hopes To Announce 2013 Return 'Soon' :Sebastien Buemi has revealed he is confident he will return to the grid in 2013. Like the now Pirelli tester Jaime Alguersuari, Swiss Buemi was ousted by Toro Rosso at the end of last year but retained by team owner Red Bull as the main team's F1 reserve. Dr Helmut Marko has said he is happy to keep Buemi, 23, at Red Bull Racing next season, but at the same time vowed to not stand in his way should he be offered a 2013 race seat. With Nico Hulkenberg heading to Sauber to replace the McLaren-bound Sergio Perez, it has been reported that Buemi is a leading contender to move to Force India in 2013. But, reportedly, so too are Spaniard Alguersuari and also the well-backed former Force India driver Adrian Sutil. Buemi told the French-language RMC: "Everything is going well in the discussions for next year. "But as long as nothing is done, I'd rather not talk about it. But it is on track and I hope to announce something soon," he added.

Media And Sponsor Muzzle For Alonso In 2012 Finale:Fernando Alonso will focus intensely on the final four races of the season amid a 'media muzzle', according to the German newspaper Bild. The report said Ferrari's Spaniard - who finally lost his championship lead as his on-form title rival Sebastian Vettel won a third consecutive Grand Prix on Sunday - will not give any more interviews as the 2012 season draws to a close over the next six weeks through India, Abu Dhabi, the US and finally Brazil. Bild also said Alonso will even curtail the time he will spend with Ferrari's sponsors between now and the season finale in late November.Alonso looked disappointed on the Korea podium on Sunday, but he insisted that while making up the now 6-point deficit will be "extremely tough", it is not over yet."The important thing is to be first when you are crossing the line in Interlagos," he is quoted by El Mundo newspaper. Alonso suggested German Vettel cannot continue to expect to experience "perfect weekends" as he did in Singapore, Suzuka and Korea. "Congratulations for that (the wins)," he said, referring to his Red Bull rival, "but when everything goes smoothly for so long, inevitably sooner or later something has to happen."