Having enjoyed such phenomenal success over the years, it is inevitable that when the results are not going his way, Michael Schumacher becomes the target of media speculation.

As the German and his Italian team amassed the titles, the media has waited (almost) patiently, watching out for the merest hint of the end of the reign.

There have been a few false starts, when journalists have (mistakenly) predicted the end of Ferrari and Schumacher's domination of the sport, only for the red cars to upset the apple cart by going out and scoring a 1-2 the following weekend.

With the German failing to make it on to the podium at the Nurburgring, far less win, the media, particularly in Germany, is once again predicting that the winning days are over and that Michael will soon be hanging up his helmet.

Not so, says the seven-time champion.

Clearly exasperated by the constant speculation, Schumacher attempted to make his point during an interview with Bild.

"Let me say this more clearly so you can write it down," he said." I am not thinking about quitting.

"I've always said that I'd retire if I couldn't keep up with the younger drivers," he added.

"That's different than what's happening now. I'm very much able to keep up with them. In all honesty, with all the duels going on right now, racing is a lot more fun for me than a lot of people would imagine.

I'm a realist and can evaluate my chances better than anyone on the outside," he continued. "Naturally I'm always trying to do the best I can but sometimes the best isn't enough. I can accept that."

Asked if the current period - he hasn't won since Suzuka - was the most difficult since joining Ferrari, he replied: "The beginning at Ferrari was much harder because we weren't really competitive. In my eyes we definitely are now even if that doesn't seem to be the case on the outside.

"It was harder back then because the pressure after so many unsuccessful years was so much greater than it is now.

"I'm not even close to giving up the title," he added.

And we believe him.