DECEMBER 17, 2000
Ferrari president Di Montezemolo contemplates retirement
FERRARI president Luca di Montezemolo has said he is considering retirement from the helm of the Italian Formula One team after one of the best year's in the company's history.
Di Montezemolo watched Michael Schumacher secure Ferrari's first drivers' championship for 21 years in October and the team also won the constructors' crown last season.
"After nine years with Ferrari, I have fulfilled every aim that I set out to achieve," said Di Montezemolo.
"The company is going really well, both in Formula One and car sales, and Maserati is also back on the right track now.
Di Montezemolo's words, albeit full of satisfaction for the results achieved by the Maranello-based manufacturer both on and off the track this year, also concealed a desire to take a break from the activity of running the company.
He added: "Maybe this is the right time for me to leave Ferrari. I am considering doing so, but for the moment I continue to work with the same energy and enthusiasm as always.
"I would really like to take a year's break and have a holiday, and then return to Ferrari of course."