His new team-mate, Rubens Barrichello, may be quick, but Michael Schumacher is still the fastest Formula One driver in the world, according to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

Montezemolo, who also said Ferrari's new car would not be unveiled until next month, was speaking yesterday after a series of promising test runs by the Brazilian - including the best lap time in Barcelona last week.

Some Ferrari fans are even wondering whether Barrichello might ruffle the feathers of former double world champion Schumacher, who is bidding to end Ferrari's wait since 1979 for the driver's title.

But Montezemolo, speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Bologna, told reporters: "I hope that the problems are always like this.

"We've brought in Barrichello because he's fast. And I'm very pleased to have him alongside the fastest driver in the world."

Asked if he thought that Schumacher was still Ferrari's top driver, he said: "Of course. There's the number one and the number one-Bs." As for this being Ferrari's year, he said: "I think it's just been our year. Because in extremely difficult conditions we won a world (constructors') title which for a team like Ferrari who designs and builds real cars - unlike the others - is a very important fact."

A precise launch date for the new Ferrari has yet to be fixed, but Montezemolo said: "I hope we can present it between February 7th and 10th."

The challenge facing Ferrari this season is to prevent McLaren's Mika Hakkinen from winning a third consecutive world title, after Schumacher's chances last year were ruined when breaking a leg at Silverstone in the British GP in July.