Brawn: Ferrari will continue to succeed.

Ross Brawn insists that Ferrari will continue to be successful in the world of Formula One, despite the announcements that the 'dream team' that has brought the tifosi such success in recent years is to be broken up.

With Michael Schumacher having announced his retirement from racing, the past week has also seen Jean Todt and engine guru Paolo Martinelli move on to new roles while Brawn himself is leaving the team to devote more time to his family.

It brings to an end an era that has seen the Italian team win multiple championships, and while Brawn was thankful for the chance to play a part in recent successes, he said he saw no reason why it couldn't continue

"I wish to thank Ferrari for allowing me to be part of a wonderful period in the history of the team," he said. "Everyone knows that Ferrari is a legend but more important are the people who work here. They have demonstrated extraordinary professionalism, loyalty, motivation and passion for their tasks. They are all exceptional human beings.

"For some time now, we have prepared for this handover and I am pleased to be able to pass on my responsibilities to people whom I am convinced can do an even better job than me. I have great faith in all of them and I am sure they will bring many more successes home to Maranello."

Martinelli's new role will see him take on a new challenge within the FIAT group, but having spent his entire working life with Ferrari he admitted it was a wrench to move elsewhere.

"I have spent my entire working life with Ferrari, first of all on the Grantursimo cars side, where I worked for sixteen years and then, as of January 1995, at the Gestione Sportiva," he said. "Both environments provided exceptional experiences that were fascinating and gratifying. President Montezemolo would often joke about the fact I joined the company when I was still in short trousers, but now I find myself about to take on a third personal challenge in the FIAT Group.

"I will leave part of my heart at Maranello. These have been unforgettable times as part of a fantastic team made up of people who are exceptional in both professional and personal terms."

The input of Brawn and Martinelli has been key to both turning around the fortunes of the tifosi and helping Schumacher to become the most successful driver in F1 history.

With his career now at an end, the seven-time champion was quick to pay tribute to both men for their contribution to his eleven seasons with the team - which yielded five of his championship titles.

"I have to thank Ross Brawn as he has been on hand to help me with all my successes in Formula One," Schumacher said of the man who also worked with his during time at Benetton. "His strong personality and his natural authority have been of fundamental importance for the team. Ross is able to prepare people for the work they have to do, to help and to stimulate them and to point them in the right direction. In my mind, he will always set the standard.

"In the last six years of Formula One, I have only suffered two engine failures and that says all there is to say about the quality of Paolo's work. It is not because of what happened at Suzuka that we have not been able to take the final title win, but in fact, the reliability of the engine has always been at the root of our success. I hold him in great esteem and wish him all the best on his new professional path."