Mercedes play down Schumi talk

Mercedes have played down, without completely dismissing, media speculation that seven times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher could come out of retirement as Jenson Button's replacement.

"It's clear that there will always be speculation as long as one cockpit is still free," said a Mercedes spokesman for the German carmaker, who have taken over world champions Brawn.

"And some speculations are nothing but dreams which will not come true."

Britain's newly crowned world champion Button has signed for McLaren where he will have the number one on his car as team-mate to 2008 champion and compatriot Lewis Hamilton next season.

Brawn have yet to name their driver line-up although Germany's Nico Rosberg is sure to be one of them.

Former F1 team owner turned television pundit Eddie Jordan stoked the speculation when he told BBC radio that he was sure Schumacher, who will be 41 in January, was in the frame to replace Button.