Renault boss, Flavio Briatore, believes that Michael Schumacher is too old and should be giving serious thought to retirement.

Talking to German magazine Bunte, the man who snatched Schumacher from Jordan, following his sensational debut at Spa in 1991, says the driver with whom he won back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995, at Benetton, is too old.

"I admire his successes," said the Italian. "I celebrated his first world title with him 11 years ago at Benetton... but he's too old."

Indeed, Briatore believes that the signs were on the wall last year, even though Michael racked up 13 wins.

"Last season, while Michael was driving from victory to victory, I didn't have the impression that he was enjoying himself much," he said.

Briatore's comments are in stark contrast with those of the men that regularly 'square up' to Schumacher on the track.

Asked at Wednesday's press conference if the Ferrari star is 'losing his edge', Giancarlo Fisichella replied: "I don't think so."

While Kimi Raikkonen, who won in Spain, said: "I think if you put the same Michelin tyres on that car they would be at the front end again. I think they have some problems with their tyres, but they can as easily find some new tyres for this race and they can win the race, so I don't know."