May 9 (GMM) The relationship between Michael Schumacher and his long time manager Willi Weber appears to have cooled.

Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm has this year taken over the day-to-day management of the seven time world champion, although Weber is still involved in merchandising and sponsorship.

Weber, who guided the German throughout his ultra-successful initial career, said this week that he senses a "Schumi-tiredness" within the public that could explain low merchandise sales in 2010.

The 68-year-old also said "Vettel is the new Schumi" commercially, while it is "easier to find a 50-year-old virgin" than sponsors.

Schumacher said in Barcelona: "Some of the things he said I cannot understand.

"Sabine has actually been very successful in finding sponsors, and nearly at every race the team has a new sponsor. It is his view," the 41-year-old told Bild-Zeitung.

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