"But both team chief Jean Todt and Ross Brawn have contracts which end at the end of 2001 so I suppose we will have to wait and see what happens to them first."
Brawn, technical guru in the Ferrari pits, predicted that, by ending their years of frustration since Jody Scheckter's triumph in 1979, Schumacher would open the floodgates to success.
"I think the weight will be lifted off everyone's shoulders in the team and we can on from strength to strength," he said. "I believe we have not seen the best of Michael yet. I am sure he can go up another notch. He is a great driver, he is the best one out there."
Meanwhile, David Coulthard, who finished third behind Schumacher and team-mate Mika Hakkinen, was disappointed at the way the McLaren team's season had fizzled out.
"We have to look ahead and that is all there is to it," he said.
Before leaving the Suzuka track, McLaren chief Ron Dennis admitted: "It's difficult to feel positive at this time but the entire company has done a great job and we can all take some satisfaction from the seven victories and seven pole positions we have achieved this year."
