Ferrari president defends Schumacher

Schumacher crashed out at Albert Park last weekend after running across a kerb at the final corner in pursuit of Jenson Button.

But despite the accident resulting in Schumacher losing further ground to championship leader Fernando Alonso in the title chase, and prompting suggestions that the seven-times champion was losing some of his ability, di Montezemolo has said he remains completely behind his star driver.

"Every time [Schumacher] goes out there's someone casting doubts over him," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm happy to have him in the team because he's the greatest champion there is.

"The fact that he was carrying out an extraordinary recovery demonstrates his will. Sometimes he dares a lot and this is a good sign of grit."

Di Montezemolo recently attended a technical meeting at Maranello as the team bid to rediscover the form that helped them challenge for victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

He said he is confident that the major upgrades planned for the San Marino Grand Prix will help the outfit in their task.

Speaking to the technicians at the meeting he said: "I come to you when we aren't winning, so I hope I won't be back for a long time. I hope the cars will get back to winning ways in Imola because they have everything to do it."