Michael will continue to conduct.

Michael Schumacher has dismissed criticism from former Italian Premier Cossiga of his impromptu 'conducting' of the Italian national anthem from the podium after his victories for Ferrari.

"It's a shame because, when I'm listening to the German hymn, there's no-one who can sing it with me, but, when the Italian hymn is coming, all my Italian mechanics, in particular one man Pino, are singing.

"I heard the rumours that not everyone was happy about it, so I stopped, but then my mechanics complained that I didn't do it, so I would rather please them than a few people who complain."

"But whoever thinks it is not respecting the Italian hymn fully is completely wrong because I do."