New role for Schumacher at Ferrari? (with pictures)

29/10/2006

Speaking at a press conference at Monza, Ferrari's Luca di Montezemolo has revealed that seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, will act as assistant to the Italian team's newly appointed CEO, Jean Todt, next season.

Schumacher's role will focus on the company's F1 programme, and according to di Montezemolo will see the German liaise with various parties including the FIA, sponsors, and rival teams and drivers. The Italian described Schumacher's new role as "important", saying that the German will be a "super assistant" to Todt.

However, talking later, ahead of an on-track demonstration which may well see him in an F1 car for the last time, Schumacher was unable to confirm exactly what he intends doing with his new-found free time.

"I can't say anything precise about what I will do in the future and I don't want to define my role inside Ferrari yet," he said. "I will take a break in the coming months and then I will be more clear about what I want to do.

"Ferrari have left me free to decide and have given me the time that I need to make up my mind," he continued. "The last few years have been very intense and everything has always been prepared down to the most minute detail and now maybe the time has come for me to have a different kind of life.

"Up until now there hasn't been much change in my life," he admitted, "The work has always been the same, the routine the same but things will certainly feel different in December when, instead of preparing for the season as usual, I can take it easy and get used to the fact that I am no longer an active racing driver."

To check out our Ferrari World Finals gallery, featuring Michael, Felipe, Jean, Ross, Paulo and Luca di Montezemolo at Monza, click here