www.itv-f1.com
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says Michael Schumacher has a place in the team's future, despite rumours that the seven-time champion may quit at the end of 2006.
Speculation persists that the great German could hang up his helmet and make way for Finnish ace Kimi Raikkonen.
But Montezemolo claims that it will be the Schumacher, and not the team, that makes the decision over its 2007 line-up.
"Michael will be the one to decide whether he carries on racing," said di Montezemolo at Ferrari's media Christmas lunch.
"For us Michael Schumacher isn't just the present at Ferrari, he's also the future. For us, his speed and motivation are undiminished, he is still the best.
"If he quits I'll be sorry, but I know that if he decides to do so, it'll be because he doesn't feel like being number one anymore. It will be better that way."
Di Montezemolo added that he expected a decision to made next summer, and although he did not rule out signing Raikkonen, he added it was too early to be sure of anything.
"Everything should come at the right time," he said.
"To announce today he will race for us in 2007 would go against nature."