Michael Schumacher is very likely to make a Formula One comeback with Mercedes next year, according to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

"He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility (of racing for Mercedes)," the autosport.com website quoted Montezemolo as telling reporters at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters.

"Having said that, it is not 100 per cent decided. But that is what he said on Friday."

The Ferrari website quoted

Montezemolo as saying it was more the seven times world champion's "twin brother" who was contemplating a return rather than the man who won five titles in a row for the Italian team.

"The real Schumacher, the one I know, will always remain in the Ferrari family," Montezemolo said.

"Then there's his totally identical twin brother who seems to have the idea in his head to go and race in Formula One with Mercedes.

"I don't know him personally, but it's clear that we cannot offer him anything: we have two young drivers like Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, who we are expecting a lot from next year."

The German aborted plans for a comeback with Ferrari this year as a stand-in for injured Massa because of fitness concerns but has since been linked strongly to Mercedes.

Mercedes has taken over champions Brawn and Schumacher is being lined up as a replacement for Britain's world champion Jenson Button, who has joined compatriot Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

Schumacher has worked as a consultant for Ferrari since retiring in 2006 but Montezemolo told Reuters recently that the Italian team would not stand in his way if he decided to race for Mercedes.

The 40-year-old had to abort his planned comeback in August following medical checks on a neck injury sustained in a motorcycle accident which caused him pain during testing.

Autosport said Schumacher and Mercedes had agreed a deal in principle but were waiting for medical experts to confirm his neck was fully recovered.

"I think that when I asked him to replace Felipe after that terrible accident in Budapest last summer, the desire to race came back powerfully and not being able to finish what he wanted to do left a great void that we cannot satisfy," Montezemolo said.

"We tried to advance the idea of a third car but for the moment it is not possible. I don't know what his future decision will be but I give my best regards to him... or rather, to his twin."

Academy recruit

Ferrari have named Frenchman Jules Bianchi as the first recruit to a new "driver academy" designed to take youngsters from karting through to Formula One.

"This programme has a very clear goal: to help youngsters develop to the point where, one day, they could fly the Ferrari flag in the Formula One world championship," team principal Stefano Domenicali said.