'We can live without Schumacher', says Ferrari chief

Sydney, Feb 2(ANI): Ferrari CEO Amadeo Felisa has expressed disappointment over seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher's defection to Mercedes-Benz, but said it will not affect their vehicle sales.

"Of course we didn't like what happened, but I don't think we have increased sales because of Schumacher ... it was important for the image of the brand," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Felisa, as saying.

Felisa, who is currently in Australia to officially open the new 32 million dollar flagship dealership in Sydney, also said that Schumacher's input into the new breed of Ferrari road cars - including the 430 Scuderia, the 599 and 458 Italia - will not be missed.

"Schumacher had a big capability to understand the car in a very short moment. But, we can live also without him, as we have done good cars without his presence," Felisa said.

He further said that Ferrari had tried to arrange the return of Schumacher to F1, but was stymied by regulations limiting teams to two cars.

"We asked the FIA to have three cars on the track ... we were not able to," Felisa said.

He reckons that Ferrari's current drivers, including former dual world champion Fernando Alonso, could add to the development of future Ferrari road cars.

"We always use the racing drivers ... it's important to have the comments coming from them," Felisa said. (ANI)