JANUARY 30, 2001

Ferrari president vows to keep winning team

FERRARI president Luca de Montezemolo vowed to do everything possible to keep the title-winning team together for years to come, at the launch of the team's F2001 challenger at Fiorano on Monday.

Ferrari captured their first drivers' world title for 21 years last season through Michael Schumacher, and speaking at Fiorano, De Montezemolo is determined to keep the team together.

"In order to win next season we need the material and the equipment and the technology that we have got," said Montezemolo, whose comments come after rumors that sporting director Jean Todt and technical director Ross Brawn are to leave the team.

"We need motivations and the means to win and we have got them. We need technical partners and sponsors and we have got them. And we need the top drivers in the world and we have got them.

"So what is missing, is someone going to leave? There has been so much trouble putting together this team I am not going to allow it to come apart. Ferrari will remain as such for many years to come. We are all Jean Todt's team and we are going to remain as such."

German Michael Schumacher, who secured his third world title last year, admitted that he is more hungry then ever to hang onto his world title and keep Ferrari at the head of the Formula One grid.

Schumacher said: "Winning the world championship is something special especially thanks to the 'Tifosi'. You might think I could have lost motivation but I want Ferrari to be number one for many years and this is why we will be fighting."