Byrne: Ferrari will win without Schumacher

Schumacher, who has been driving for Ferrari since the 1996 season, announced he will stop racing when the season ends next month.

The German has won five titles with Ferrari, as well as 71 of his 90 Grands Prix.

Despite Ferrari's success having being associated with Schumacher for the past decade, Byrne believes the team will still be a force to be reckoned with when Kimi Raikkonen replaces the seven-time champion.

"It's not the end of an era but just the end of Michael's career. To beat Ferrari will still be a feat," Byrne told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I designed my last car in 2004, yet this year's car is competitive: it has won seven races and can claim the titles. So...

"Ferrari are a really fine team, and I'm the proof of that. I had my mind already elsewhere when I came to Maranello, but everyone gave me a hand and it was easy for me to become part of the team. The same will happen with Kimi.

"We won for so long and with ease because we were the first at introducing some principles that were later copied by our rivals, like using the wind tunnel 24 hours a day. But the others have improved."

Byrne, who is staying at the team as a consultant for another two years, said he understood Schumacher's decision.

"I respect Schumacher's decision. I understand it was not easy," he said. "He felt it was time to quit. I don't think the decision to quit by two or three members of the technical staff may have influenced him, he's a mature person.

"And as a driver he's still extremely strong, as demonstrated again in Monza. Now it'd be nice if he can put an end to his adventure with the eighth world title."