Ferrari Boss Dreams of Taking a Sabbatical Year

Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo would like to take a year's break and has considered leaving the 2000 Formula One champions, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Thursday.

"I really would like to take a year's sabbatical," the newspaper quoted 53-year-old Montezemolo, whose wife is expecting a baby in May, as saying.

But the paper added that, while the Ferrari boss occasionally thought of leaving Ferrari, he was "resigned to the fact that he will not be allowed to do so."

Montezemolo, speaking at his family estate outside Bologna, said it had been an extraordinary year.

"I got married, Ferrari won the Formula One championship after 21 years. Our sales of Ferrari sports cars will hit 4,000 for the first time this year."

However, he added that the team's success on the track, with Germany's Michael Schumacher winning nine races and taking Ferrari's first drivers' title since South African Jody Scheckter in 1979, had some negative aspects.

"The head hunters are swirling around Ferrari making offers for our best people," he said. "We've already lost two."

Despite that, di Montezemolo is ready to do whatever it takes to keep Schumacher until the end of his career.

"I expect him to win the drivers' title in the next two seasons, and I will do everything possible for our collaboration to continue after his contract expires in 2002."

The Italian also replied to the reports about Sporting Director Jean Todt leaving Ferrari at the end of next season, confirming the Frenchman will stay with them.

"He will stay with us, you can be sure of that," added Montezemolo. "Todt was right when he said that we have not yet spoken about his future, but we will do so in the next few weeks."