Schumacher: Ferrari won't relax in 2001

Speaking on German TV, Schumacher said: "I would be a liar to say the thought hasn't crossed my mind, but I attended the Ferrari Christmas party recently and took the chance to walk around the factory. I could see how fully concentrated and committed everybody is on working on next year's car. I couldn't detect any difference from this year.

"The Ferrari crew is professional enough to enjoy what they have achieved in 2000," he added, "but they know exactly that reaching one goal does not mean that you cannot reach other ones. To get more success they have to work very, very hard, and the Ferrari team knows that."

Schumacher was also quizzed about his mental strength and a seemingly unshakeable self-confidence in his own abilities.

"I am in a certain way a self-confident person," he said, "but I carry around a big bundle of self-doubts. I do not see that as a disadvantage, but rather as a necessity to improve yourself. If you get too confident, you might think that you do not have to work at yourself any longer. And I think you have to improve all the time since life creates new challenges all the time."

Speaking separately, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has dismissed accusations that Schumacher is arrogant, saying that the only important thing to Ferrari is that the German continues to deliver the goods.

Montezemolo has described Schumacher as a greater driver than Senna and says he would like to re-sign him when his contract expires at the end of 2002. The Italian has, however, cast doubts on his own future, saying that he is considering taking a year away from the sport, having achieved all his personal and professional goals.