Ferrari in Formula One quit threat

FORMULA ONE stands on the brink of anarchy following Ferrari’s confirmation yesterday of their withdrawal from the sport from 2010 unless there are fundamental changes to the new regulations.

Ferrari have made it clear this is no posturing from their side, but a very real threat to end their 60-year involvement with F1. Their position follows a meeting of Ferrari’s board of directors in Maranello yesterday, and comes ahead of planned showdown talks with FIA president Max Mosley, potentially later this week in London.

Mosley sparked a furore a fortnight ago by announcing a £40m (€45m) budget cap would be introduced from next year, with a dual purpose of attracting new teams and curbing costs of the 10 present. However, that would lead to a two-tier F1, with initial murmurings of discontent having developed into vehement opposition.

With May 29 the deadline for entries for next season, Toyota were the first to state they would be unlikely to commit by then if no resolution was found.

That was followed by Red Bull/Toro Rosso owner Dietrich Mateschitz unequivocally announcing his position yesterday, confirming neither of his teams would enter for 2010 if the rules remained unchanged.

Now Ferrari, the most iconic and successful motor-racing brand, have joined the growing chorus of disgust at Mosley’s plans.

A strongly-worded statement pulled no punches as it read: “For the first time ever in Formula One, the 2010 season will see the introduction of two different sets of regulations based on arbitrary technical rules and economic parameters.

“The board consider that if this is the regulatory framework for Formula One in the future, then the reasons underlying Ferrari’s uninterrupted participation in the world championship over the last 60 years – the only constructor to have taken part ever since its inception in 1950 – would come to a close.”

In taking umbrage with the FIA, the Ferrari board further condemned motor sport’s world governing body for their undemocratic manner in bulldozing through the new rules, and for seemingly reneging on past agreements.

“The board also expressed their disappointment about the methods adopted by the FIA in taking decisions of such a serious nature and the refusal to effectively reach an understanding with constructors and teams,” added the statement.

“The rules of governance that have contributed to the development of Formula One over the last 25 years have been disregarded, as have the binding contractual obligations between Ferrari and the FIA regarding the stability of the regulations.

“The same rules for all teams, stability of regulations, continuity of the FOTA’s (Formula One Teams’ Association) endeavours to methodically and progressively reduce costs, and governance of Formula One are the priorities for the future.

“If these indispensable principles are not respected, and if the regulations adopted for 2010 will not change, then we do not intend to enter our cars in the next Formula 1 world championship.”

By way of response, a FIA spokesman said: “We have nothing to add to the letter sent to Ferrari on April 29.”

That is in reference to a letter from Mosley to Luca di Montezemolo after the Ferrari president expressed his concerns regarding the imposition of a budget cap in a letter of his own.

In reply, Mosley expressed plainly he was not for turning as the financial preservation of F1 was his chief concern.

Mosley, though, later angered di Montezemolo by insisting F1 could live without Ferrari, a claim countered by Bernie Ecclestone.

Ecclestone stated in Barcelona that “Formula One is Ferrari, and Ferrari are Formula One,” but then as commercial rights holder he has a strongly vested interest.

The 78-year-old knows that without Ferrari as the sport’s spearhead he will have considerable difficulty in promoting F1 to TV stations and sponsors.

But according to Ecclestone, the possibility of there being a two-tier championship next season is “slowly disappearing,” believing the £40million figure is one the teams will eventually accept.

It would appear one of the main bones of contention relates to the policing of such a cap as the FIA are to use their own independent auditors to sift through the books of all the teams.

Respecting confidentiality and privacy, it is understood Ecclestone has reassured the teams this will not happen, and they will be able to employ their own auditors.

Reiterating his belief regarding Ferrari, Ecclestone said: “They are not stupid.

“They don’t want to leave Formula One, and we don’t want to lose them, so we’ll get to grips with it.”