For Montezemolo German champion is still the best around (ANSA) - Milan, April 5 - Ferrari got off to a poor start in the Formula 1 season but it is still a championship contender thanks to its "extraordinary" driver Michael Schumacher, Ferrari boss Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said here on Wednesday .

The fact that Schumacher, who won five of his seven world titles with Ferrari, crashed in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix in no way diminished the fact that he is "the greatest champion there is" in Formula 1, the Ferrari and Fiat chairman explained .

"Every time he goes out on the track there is always someone who questions whether he is still up to it. I am happy to have him on our team because he is the best there is," Montezemolo added .


The fact that the 37-year-old German crashed while pushing his way up from the back, the Ferrari boss observed, "was a clear example of his will to win. Sometimes you just have to go for it, show what you're made of" .

The next race is at Imola on April 23 and Montezemolo said that he was optimistic that Ferrari can win the San Marino Grand Prix "because they have all they need to do it" .

Ferrari this season has seen Schumacher come in second once and then sixth, while teammate Felipe Massa, who also crashed in Australia, has finished ninth and fifth .

Nevertheless, according to Montezemolo, a poor season start can be an excellent incentive to try harder and make a comeback .

"I just visited Maranello (Ferrari headquarters) where I was glad to see that everyone was motivated and focused. They have challenged themselves with a very tough preparation and test schedule," the Ferrari boss said .

AfterSunday's race, Schumacher came under sharp fire from pundits who said he was one of Ferrari's main problems because he had passed his prime .

The seven-time world champion is the oldest driver in the circuit and since last year he has been unable to keep up with the younger, hungry drivers like the current 24-year-old champion Fernando Alonso .

The Renault driver, who in 2005 broke Schumacher's five-year winning streak, has won two out of the season's three races, coming second once, and leads the standings with 28 points, compared to the 11 fourth-placed Schumacher has .

The German driver has already made it clear he will decide by the middle of the season whether or not he will retire and, should he keep driving, whether he will stay at Ferrari .