Michael Schumacher rules out major F1 role

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BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) -- Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher ruled out a return to Formula One as a team boss or owner on Friday.

The German, attending his first grand prix since he retired in October, held a news conference at the Circuit de Catalunya to talk about Formula One, his new life and future plans.

Looking relaxed and sounding at ease, the 38-year-old Schumacher made clear he had no plans to play any major role in the sport he once dominated as the most successful driver ever.

Asked whether he had ambitions to be a team owner or to run Ferrari when Jean Todt steps down, he replied: "Neither. Absolutely not, no. I just don't want to. I have other ambitions in life."

Schumacher retired after last season's final Brazilian Grand Prix, bowing out with a record 91 wins and 68 pole positions from 249 races.

While still looking as trim as ever, he said he played soccer with friends to keep fit but no longer did any gym work.

The German said he had no desire, at the moment at least, to step back into a Formula One car either. "I'm only so many months out of this business and I'm quite happy with that," he declared. "What will be my future, who knows?"

Schumacher has an unspecified role at Ferrari, the team he likened to a second family while competing, and he said he would simply be observing activities from a distance in Spain this weekend.

He rejected a suggestion that his presence could be a distraction for a team challenging McLaren for the championship lead after three races.

"I wouldn't be here if that were the case," he said. "My participation is to help in any means that I can, not to distract them. I will be where I am needed to be".

Schumacher declined to comment on his successor, Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, and also made clear that Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa needed no assistance from him either.

"Obviously I am in close contact with the guys when I'm not there," he said. "I follow everything and I know Felipe very well, we've been friends over all these years he's been working with Ferrari."

Schumacher said he was enjoying spending time with his family and children, being at home during their holidays and not having to worry about other commitments.

"That's the situation I was looking for," he said. "I'm very relieved. You wake up in the morning and you make up your own schedule rather than somebody else doing it for you."