Ferrari want seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher to work as
assistant to team boss Jean Todt although the German, who retired from the sport
last week, said he will wait before deciding on his role.
"Michael will be a super assistant to Jean Todt," Ferrari president Luca di
Montezemolo told reporters at the Ferrari World event on Sunday.
However, Schumacher told a news conference, before his emotional farewell to
Italian fans at the Monza racetrack, that he would take his time before making
any decision about his future role.
"I can't say anything precise about what I will do in the future and I don't
want to define my role inside Ferrari yet," Schumacher told a news conference.
"I will take a break in the coming months and then I will be more clear about
what I want to do.
"Ferrari have left me free to decide and have given me the time that I need
to make up my mind," he added.
Schumacher said he was looking forward to having a change of rhythm in his
life.
DIFFERENT LIFE
"The last few years have been very intense and everything has always been
prepared down to the most minute detail and now maybe the time has come for me
to have a different kind of life," he said.
"Up until now there hasn't been much change in my life, the work has always
been the same, the routine the same but things will certainly feel different in
December when, instead of preparing for the season as usual, I can take it easy
and get used to the fact that I am no longer an active racing driver".
Thousands of Ferrari fans turned out at Monza on Sunday to say farewell to
Schumacher who took to the track with other members of the team to salute the
supporters for a final time.
Along with Ferrari driver Felipe Massa and test drivers Luca Badoer and Marc
Gene, Schumacher put his F1 car through it's paces before a ceremonial lap
carrying the Italian flag.
'Thanks Schumi!' and 'Ferrari Forever' read banners held aloft by fans as
Montezemolo and Todt also took the applause of the red-clad 'tifosi' before
parachutists descended from the sky, one carrying a 'Grazie Schumi' flag.
Schumacher and Todt then rode together in a Ferrari street car while
Montezemolo paid tribute to the German.
"Michael was the most extraordinary driver in Ferrari's history and that is
saying something given we have had the best drivers in this sport. He was always
a team man and always willing to help others," said the Ferrari president.
"There were never rows or arguments -- with Michael we have always been
united and strong," he added.
