MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy, Jan 11, 2008 (AFP) - Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher gave his stamp of approval to the new F2008 Ferrari on Friday.

Speaking from Ferrari´s joint press event with Ducati here, the now-retired record-breaking driver gave his assessment of the world champions´ new car.

"Every year it´s the same story, the car is very promising," he said.

"Obviously right now we don´t have all the pieces in place and when you take a car out of the garage you need to make sure that all the systems are working, that there are no stupid mistakes. You need to make sure everything´s ok.

"Like I said, it is as promising as we expected. To see where we are we need to see where our rivals are before we will know for sure if the car is good or bad."

Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season after a glittering career during which he broke almost every record in Formula One.

Now he works as a special consultant for Ferrari and occasionally even takes part in testing.

His exact role in the team has also been clarified after being a little vague a year ago.

"Now everything is clear. My role was new and it was not clear at first but now it has been properly defined.

"My job is to work on the developpment of the car and on the sporting management side."