Ralf makes hint at F1 retirement

Schumacher tests for Force India in Jerez earlier this week

Ralf Schumacher looks set to call time on his Formula One career after a poor test drive for Force India, according to German newspapers.

Schumacher, out of contract since October, was one of seven drivers testing for the former Spyker team.

But the 32-year-old told German tabloid Bild: "It looks like that was the last time I will drive a Formula One car.

"It is not expected that I join Force India, I took on the test drive as an opportunity to prove myself."

Force India are looking for a driver to partner German Adrian Sutil, who has been retained for 2008.

I would like to continue my career in F1, but it is not an obligation Ralf Schumacher

Schumacher was competing for a racing seat alongside Giancarlo Fisichella, Christian Klien, Viantonio Liuzzi, Franck Montagny, Giedo van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez.

But after the test in Spain, Schumacher was 20th and last of all the drivers - nearly three seconds behind leader BMW driver Robert Kubica.

"I would like to continue my career in F1, but it is not an obligation," Schumacher added on television channel RTL. "I would like to continue, but I don't know if these are the right conditions."

The younger brother of seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher left Toyota in October after three years with the team.

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Before that he enjoyed six Grand Prix wins in a 179-race career with Williams, but has so far attracted little interest for his services in 2008.

Testing for the Ferrari-powered Force India brought Schumacher full circle having started his career at Jordan, the team renamed Midland and then Spyker, before it was bought by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya and Dutch entrepreneur Michiel Mol.

Schumacher has already declared his interest in filling the McLaren drive vacated by Spaniard Fernando Alonso and has been told they will make a decision on who will partner Lewis Hamilton in January.