Schumacher to race at U.S. Grand Prix

Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher confirmed on Monday he is to race in the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis on September 30.

Schumacher had acknowledged he found it hard to concentrate during Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza in the wake of the attacks on New York and Washington last Tuesday.

His team said on its website, www.ferrari.com, that it was no doubt these factors which led to rumours the German driver would not take part in the final two races of the season in America and Japan.

"I was aware of these rumours," Schumacher was quoted as saying on the website. "But at the moment, I have not the slightest thought of not driving in the U.S. and Japan."

The four-times world champion finished fourth in the Italian Grand Prix which was won by Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya driving a Williams.

Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt said Schumacher had been given the option of pulling out of Monza and while he had opted to race, he would not be forced to compete in the future.

Schumacher lifted this season's title when he won the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, although Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has warned the German the title is officially not his until all the grands prix are completed.

"Let's get one thing straight," Ecclestone was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph.

"Michael Schumacher is not yet the 2001 world champion. Anything could happen. Maybe he could lose his points over one of the next three races. I'm sure that won't be the case, but it could be..."

The German also reflected on a controversy at Monza where some team chiefs told their drivers to ignore an unofficial drivers' safety accord.

Schumacher and Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil had initiated the unofficial agreement not to overtake until after the second chicane on the opening lap.

"It's sad to see some drivers can be forced to go against their beliefs," Schumacher said on the Ferrari website.

"Unfortunately, some found themselves in that situation. I can't understand this sort of behaviour. In Formula One, safety is a key issue.

"In these circumstances, it would have been better to have done what we wanted. That would have meant that we would at least have tried to avoid a further incident."

Last year, a marshal was killed in an accident at the second chicane on the opening lap.