You must never get too affectionate with drivers - Ferrari

Piero Ferrari, son of Enzo, also understands Michael Schumacher's decision to return to racing with Mercedes GP, even though Schumacher had become a 'symbol' for the legendary Scuderia. The Ferrari heir believes that with Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso in a strong car they won't have a problem beating Schumacher and the rest of the grid.

"It's true that we were a bit disappointed, because Michael had become our symbol. I wouldn't use that expression [betrayal], even though obviously we would have preferred him to stay with us," Ferrari shared with 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'. "But he wanted to race and the conditions weren't there for him to do it once again with Ferrari."

When asked if Ferrari ever considered setting aside one of their drivers to accommodate Schumacher in 2010 he responded, "No, because I never believe in comebacks in sport, and I mean coaches and footballers who go back to a team where they had coached or played before. Time goes on. And besides, we have hired Alonso who didn't become world champion by chance, and in fact he has already challenged and beaten Michael before. And then we have Massa, who has matured next to Michael himself.

"I'm convinced that, if we are able to build a good car - the 2009 one wasn't very good - we'll get some satisfaction. In other words, we won't lose races and the title because of the drivers."

Ferrari also added a personal anecdote from a time long gone, "I'll take a step back in time: I was very close to Lorenzo Bandini and I suffered greatly when he died in Monte Carlo in 1967

"Right then, my father gave me some advice that was in line with his policy: 'You must never get too affectionate with racing drivers, because it either ends this way or they go race somewhere else. They are employees, even if very important ones.'"