Schuey wants long term Ferrari domination

Schumacher won the Prancing Horse's first drivers' world title for 21 years last year and as he prepares to begin the defence of his crown in Melbourne this weekend, the German revealed that his ambitions lie far beyond 2001.

The triple world champ's contract with the Maranello team runs out at the end of next year and he has yet to re-sign. However Schumacher gave a good indication that he would be staying on by saying that he wanted to make Ferrari like Manchester United, which has dominated British football since its return to form in 1993.

"We want to make Ferrari the dominant force in Formula 1 and make them successful at the top for a decade if possible," said Schumacher. "That is certainly our target. But it is going to be a very difficult one because our competitors, especially McLaren, are very strong. But then again that's what makes it so interesting."

Schumacher has been instrumental in getting Ferrari back to the top and after joining the team in 1996, has finished second in the championship every year since 1997, until last year. The scarlet cars are once again set to be the dominant force in 2001, along with main rivals McLaren-Mercedes, but the German wants longer term success.

"I certainly hope we can do the same [as Manchester United]," he said. "I know how sweet it is to have the title and I want to keep it. But when you see how tight this business is you cannot predict what will happen. We can only do our best. We are as motivated as ever and there is no reason why that should fade."

Ferrari has been renowned for getting caught up in politics and the team of past decades would have crumbled beneath in-fighting. But Schumacher insists those days are gone now.

He said: "We are too professional as a team now - we are not the team we were 20 years ago where you could have put that argument. We want to be as strong this year as we were last year."