Schumacher Hungry for More Success (updated)

Michael Schumacher said on Thursday the glory of winning Ferrari's first world title for 21 years last season would not weaken his appetite for more success.

"I am born for racing and as long as I sit in a racing car I can assure you that you don't need to have any worries about my motivation," the German driver said at Ferrari's annual winter camp in the Dolomites.

"I fully enjoy what I am doing. There is no lack of motivation. I have begun training a little earlier than last season and my results are slightly beyond schedule compared to last year.

Schumacher said he wanted to begin a new era of sustained success for the Italian team.

"It is one thing to win the world championship together with Ferrari, it is another to start an era of Ferrari.

"We have had the 1980s with Williams, the 90s a little bit with McLaren and now the next step is to make Ferrari, over quite a distance of time, to be on the very top level."

Stability

The German has a contract to drive with Ferrari for two more seasons and said he had not yet made any decision on any new deal, but he made it clear that any future commitment depends on continued success and stability at Ferrari.

"There is no need for any speculation. I am pretty happy with the situation as it is currently and I am looking forward to keeping the stable base and to even improve this base. If we do so I would say never change a winning team, but we really have to keep winning and then we can talk about it.

"In 2001 certain contracts run out and I want to see for myself what is the future of Ferrari and whether the future of Ferrari is my future or not. And that will probably be pretty clear by the end of this year, the beginning of next year. I shall know what my future will be after 2002.

One contract which runs out at the end of the upcoming season is that of Ferrari team manager Jean Todt and there have been rumours the Frenchman may opt for a new challenge.

Schumacher admitted losing Todd would be a blow to the stability he demands.

"Jean Todt is one of the most important people we have in Ferrari that is more than definite. You need a stable base which means either to keep the best people you have or to keep improving the people.

"If someone wants to look for another motivation for the future then you have to find an alternative which is either the same or better. But right now I don't feel we need to do this because as far as I can see Jean is still very keen, very motivated."

Competition

Schumacher's teammate Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has vowed to race for the title himself in the new season and Schumacher said the competition between the two is natural and denied there was any internal ranking within Ferrari.

"It's up to Rubens really. We are all racing drivers and we all believe in ourselves that we are fast and we try to be the fastest, this is our way.

"It is pretty normal that it is Ruben's goal to win races with Ferrari and win the championship for Ferrari and so is mine. There is no kind of politics going on in the team. It is pretty strict - they will provide the best package to both of the drivers.

Schumacher said he would begin driving again before the unveiling of the new Ferrari car, attending at least some of the testing in Barcelona on January 21st.

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Reuters images from Ferrari's winter camp: &url=1sq94090">Michael Schumacher Skis in Madonna Di Campliglio. &url=1sq9407q">Schumacher Rolls in the Snow with Barrichello. &url=1sq9407p">Michael Schumacher Rolls in the Snow. &url=1sq94078">Ferrari Drivers Schumacher and Badoer Hug Each Other. &url=1sq94073">Schumacher Grimace Before a Torch Light Night Run. &url=1sq9406o">Michael Schumacher with Italian Luca Badoer in Madonna Di Campiglio. &url=1sq9406n">World Champion Michael Schumacher Poses in Madonna Di Campliglio. &url=1sq9406m">Michael Schumacher Waves as he Poses in Madonna Di Campiglio. &url=1sq9406j">Ferrari Drivers Barrichello and Schumacher Play in the Snow. &url=1sq9406i">World Champion Michael Schumacher Drives a Snow Mobile. &url=1kq94099">Michael Schumacher Skis in Madonna Di Campliglio. &url=1kq94097">Michael Schumacher Skis in Madonna Di Campliglio. ------

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