Di Montezemolo cautiously optimistic

Although Michael Schumacher took third place in the Drivers' Championship, and Ferrari finished behind only Renault and McLaren in the constructors' title chase, the season was a major disappointment for the team after their recent dominant seasons.

And di Montezemolo believes that renewed motivation from staff and the return of tyre changes could help them bounce back.

"I await 2006 with trepidation but also with more optimism than 2005, because after a year of losses there must be a reaction," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I think the new regulations will be closer to F1 races than to endurance races and to tyre championships. A break of one year after having won so much can be healthy for us, for our staff and our suppliers, including the tyre ones.

"In any case a year is more than enough: now we need to get back to winning ways. That's also the wish of our fans, who have maybe relaxed a bit like some other people at Ferrari, including the president too perhaps."

The form of Ferrari next season will likely be crucial in their bid to get Schumacher to renew his contract - which runs out at the end of 2006.

When asked whether it would be harder to deal with Schumacher racing an uncompetitive car, or a successful Flavio Briatore at Renault, di Montezemolo said: "Thank God I only deal with Schumacher. And with Felipe Massa, a good guy and a fine driver who will have a big chance.

"At the moment I only think about 2006: there is someone who needs to decide whether to stay - I really hope he will - and we'll let him decide peacefully. In the future we'll evaluate what to do in 2007. One year at the time, I beg you."