Schumacher must trigger 2012 contract option

Michael Schumacher can decide if he stays at Mercedes or hangs up his formula one comeback at the end of this season.

After a disappointing season and a half since returning to F1 with Mercedes looked to have turned a corner in Canada, the famous 42-year-old German had yet another bad race on the streets of Valencia.

He admitted he was to blame for colliding with Renault’s Vitaly Petrov and finishing seventeenth.

"Not a very satisfying race for me," said Schumacher.

Earlier at the Spanish port venue, it emerged that Schumacher’s three-year contract was in fact a two year deal including a one-side option for 2012.

The Cologne tabloid Express reports that it is therefore still possible that Nico Rosberg will be partnered next year by the heavily Mercedes-supported Force India rookie Paul di Resta.

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn was asked before the European grand prix on whose side - team or driver - Schumacher’s 2012 option can be triggered.

"Michael’s," the Briton answered.