Lauda has doubts over Kimi

Schumacher, who has won five-world championships with the legendary Italian outfit, is to be replaced by McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, though Lauda has his doubts as to whether the Finn can replace his predecessor.

"At the moment, without wanting to be too critical, his position is that of a Finnish party-goer in a perfectly organised team, in which he doesn't need to worry himself about anything," Lauda told Austrian magazine Profil.

"The leadership that Ferrari needs, and that Schumacher embodied perfectly, is totally missing.

"The car will certainly be competitive in the first half of next season because is has been developed well up until now. After that, things will become more difficult.

"As long as the car remains competitive, Raikkonen can happily go on drinking. But after six months [into the new season] we will begin to see whether Ferrari really have a future," he added.

Along with Schumacher, Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn is also stepping down, leaving the Maranello-based team with "two huge holes to fill," according to Lauda.

"If these are not filled intelligently, then things can go down hill for them," he warned.

Raikkonen currently lies fifth in the Formula one drivers' standings, and is yet to win a grand prix this season.