Thursday 15 March at 19:38 : Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo admits that it feels "strange" to be contemplating the start of a new formula one season without Michael Schumacher in a red car.

The Italian doesn't hide his disappointment that 38-year-old Schumacher, who won five consecutive titles for Maranello based Ferrari, decided to hang up his helmet at the end of last year.

"It is even more strange to remember that he was a main contender for victories only five months ago," Montezemolo told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday.

He explained: "Schumacher was never difficult, never political. Of course we miss him.

"But that's life; that's sport. You also have to know how to look into the future."

Ferrari will go into Friday's first practice sessions in Melbourne as the favourite for victory, despite also losing key technical figures including Ross Brawn and Paulo Martinelli over the winter.

Driver Felipe Massa said at Albert Park on Thursday: "The people who took a little bit more responsibility for this year were already important last year.

"So hopefully we can achieve our targets without Michael, without Ross, without Paolo. I pretty much think that the people can do the job."

Montezemolo refused to weigh into the debate about whether Brazilian Massa, arguably the champion of the winter test period, or team newcomer Kimi Raikkonen will have the upper hand in 2007, but he ruled out artificially naming a new 'number one'.

"Only the timing clocks will decide that," he said.