In an interview with a popular Italian newspaper, Luca di Montezemolo has hinted that Michael Schumacher is set to test Ferrari’s newly launched car in 2008.
To the Turin-based daily La Stampa, Ferrari president Montezemolo described retired seven time world champion Schumacher as the team’s “terzo pilota” — ‘third driver’ in English.
Asked by La Stampa about the Maranello based outfit’s 2008 lineup, Montezemolo said: “Like only Fangio and Scheckter before him, Raikkonen won the title with us in his first year.
“Now he knows the car and the team better, so it can only improve more.
“Massa has shown he is a winner, and especially in the races he always thinks about the team. The strength of Ferrari is our teamwork.
“And then there is a third driver, Schumacher. We can rely on his experience of driving without traction control,” he added.
Montezemolo also mentioned Stefano Domenicali; Ferrari’s new team boss after fifteen years with Jean Todt at the helm.
“I wish Stefano the same luck that I had in the 70s, when Enzo Ferrari chose me as head of the team when I was not a technician,” he said.
Referring to himself, Montezemolo then said: “In two and a half months I will complete the mandate as head of the Confidustria, and then I will be present at Maranello much more often.”
