Sunday January 28th, 2001

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is preparing to offer world champion Michael Schumacher a five-year deal worth £100 million ($150 million USD) to finish his career with the Maranello-based team, according to reports.

Ferrari are set to increase Schumacher's £16 million ($25m USD) a-year deal to £20 million ($30m USD) in a bid to hold onto his services.

"Of course we want Michael to stay," di Montezemolo told British newspaper The Sunday Mirror. "He is the best driver in the world and he stuck with us when things were not so good.

"We put a lot of effort into getting the right people here and it is important to retain them."

Di Montezemolo added that he will open contract discussion with the team's sporting director Jean Todt and technical director Ross Brawn, who has been linked with a switch to Jaguar, in the coming weeks.

"We should speak about these matters in the next few weeks," he said. "I am confident Todt will be staying with Ferrari, even after his contract expires."

Picked from the Bunch:	<<  Previous  |  Jan Index  |  The Grapevine |  Next  >>
(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip (03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track (03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006 (03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars (03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia

© 1995-2005 Kaizar.Com, Inc. Copyright & Terms