Brawn: Ferrari will win without me

The Briton will leave the team at the end of the month, and he will be replaced by Mario Almondo, as he wants to devote more time to his personal life.

During his time with Ferrari, the team won the constructors' title six times and the drivers' crown on five occasions.

Brawn expressed his gratitude to the Maranello squad and predicted a successful future in his absence.

"I wish to thank Ferrari for allowing me to be part of a wonderful period in the history of the team," said Brawn. "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."

Brawn's departure marks the end of an era for the team after seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher retired from the sport following last Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The German driver was also thankful.

"I have to thank Ross Brawn as he has been on hand to help me with all my successes in Formula One," Schumacher said. "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."

Schumacher also praised engine director Paolo Martinelli, who is leaving too to take a position with parent company Fiat.

"I have only suffered two engine failures and that says all there is to say about the quality of Paolo's work," Schumacher added. "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." 

Martinelli added: "I have spent my entire working life with Ferrari, first of all on the Granturismo cars side, where I worked for sixteen years and then, as of January 1995, at the Gestione Sportiva. 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."

Ferrari team boss Jean Todt admitted he was sorry to see the main components of the Italian squad's most successful period leave, but said he accepted their decision.

"To see such an important chapter in the history of Ferrari come to a close has a special effect on me, even though I know that that's life and we have to accept it," said the Frenchman.

"These have been extraordinary years on both the professional and human front, with important achievements coming as a result of the values instilled in our family.

"I thank Ross and Paolo for their unparalleled efforts and I wish them all the best in achieving the objectives they have set themselves in their new lives. As I said, a chapter closes but life at Ferrari moves onward and it is with pride and determination that we will tackle the next challenges, be they in the industry or in sport."