Ralf Schumacher relaxed about F1 future

MONACO, May 25 (Reuters) Ralf Schumacher is confident he will still be in Formula One next year, even if his form so far this season has been unimpressive.

Speaking at the Monaco Grand Prix, a race his older brother Michael won five times, the German told Reuters he was relaxed about his situation at Toyota and unconcerned by speculation about his future.

''I kind of like it, people seem to care otherwise they wouldn't think that much about me,'' said the 31-year-old, who has scored just one point in four races compared to Italian team mate Jarno Trulli's four.

''I just concentrate on what I'm doing and I am here next year so no worries.

''In (the last race in) Barcelona my speed was okay and I was just a bit unlucky. The two (races) before that weren't very good, I know that, but things like that don't change 11 years (of experience) I'd say,'' he added.

''I still enjoy what I'm doing and I don't see any reason to stop it yet.'' Toyota team president John Howett has said that the Cologne-based team, who have an option on Ralf in their favour for another two years, are unlikely to decide until much later in the season.

Seven-times world champion Michael was the talk of Monaco last year after kicking up a cheating furore by blocking rivals in qualifying and even in retirement can expect plenty of attention from the paparazzi as a spectator on Sunday.

Ralf, who has never finished higher than third in the showcase race despite starting on pole in 2003 with Williams, is still a long way from the limelight.

''At the moment we have so much work to do...our target at the beginning of the year was to win races and we are pretty far away from that,'' he said.

''I think a lot of development has to be done on this car, it's good but there's a lot of things to improve. It is possible with this current car and we know some areas where we can improve it massively.'' With Ferrari and McLaren shutting out all rivals from the podium so far this season, a Toyota win in Monaco would be a freak result even in a race with a reputation as a bit of a lottery.

''I think it's the driver with the right car at the right moment and a bit of luck,'' said Ralf, who crashed into the barriers in practice yesterday. ''A lot of drivers were leading and just hit the barrier by not taking care for a moment. That's the way it is.

''A lot of people do say it's something special (to win in Monaco),'' he added. ''But I think any grand prix victory is a special thing...you want to win every race, not particularly Monaco. It's great but nothing too special.'' REUTERS AKD BST2107