Stewart warns Schumacher not to be 'greedy'

Michael Schumacher should think carefully about how long he remains in Formula One, says former champion Jackie Stewart.

The German is heading for a record-equalling fifth championship in a dominant Ferrari this season and three times champion Stewart said Schumacher could easily increase his tally to six titles.

But he also warned him not to be "greedy" in his continuing quest to obliterate all records.

"He is unquestionably the finest racing driver in the world today," the Scot and former team owner told BBC radio.

"He could certainly have six (titles).

"But I think he would be wise not to be too ambitious or, if you looked at it another way, too greedy.

"Life has been so good to him and so kind, he's been blessed in so many different ways that you shouldn't be asking for too much.

"You should at a point say this is just fine, it's nothing to do with money, or victories or numbers. It's to do with where you are and you've got to go on and do more with your life.

"You have to stop at a certain time or you do dribble on a bit and maybe wait too long and by then you've lost your shine. So I hope his timing is right."

Schumacher is by far the highest-paid driver in Formula One and among the wealthiest sportsmen in the world after a decade at the top.

He has won four out of five races this season and been on pole for the last three, taking his career tally to 57 wins, more than any other racing driver in the history of the sport.

Now 33, he has a contract with champions Ferrari until the end of 2004 and the Italian team's president Luca di Montezemolo said recently that he could have a job for life if he wanted it.

But there have been rumblings, at least in Britain, that his dominance and the fact that his Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello must act as a number two to him, is making the sport boring.

"He's reached that point in his career where he's capable of turning himself on and off to the ultimate drive and Michael, no matter how much money he's got or how many victories he's had, is still hungry," said Stewart.

"And I like that.

"He'll keep going until he finds that going around in circles is not the most mature thing you can do in your life and that there are other things in life than driving a racing car to the ultimate ability.

"That will come and that's part of the maturing process. When he comes to that he will know when to retire."