F1 Ferrari warns it might leave Formula One, as standard engine deemed unacceptable.

[Imhotep Evil]

Ferrari warns it might leave Formula One
Standard engine option may be deemed unacceptable
27/10/08 19:02



Ferrari's Board of Directors has declared its intention to reconsider the company's involvement in Formula One if the controversial standard engine and transmission option proposed by FIA President Max Mosley ever comes into effect with the 2010 season.

Despite negative reactions from all manufacturer teams, and the subsequent belief that Mosley's suggestion was not a true priority, the FIA nonetheless confirmed on Monday that the drastic cost-cutting measure was moving ahead with interested suppliers invited to present their proposals before November 7th.

Citing that such a measure would undermine the basis of F1 - competition mixed with technological development – Ferrari has made it understood that the famous Italian marque may no longer wish to be involved in the sport it has supported continuously since 1950.

Ferrari's position follows Toyota's strong reaction at Formula One possibly becoming a standard-engine series, with the Japanese organization considering a return to Le Mans and prototype racing.

"We believe Formula One must remain a technological challenge," Toyota declared to Racing-Live. "This is an important point for Toyota and provided this does not change we expect to continue in Formula One until at least 2012."

Mosley has downplayed the importance of having manufacturer teams racing with engines designed by another firm, while the interested parties do not wish to consider such a prospect for obvious reasons.


All teams have indicated their support for cost reductions in F1; meetings between the FIA and FOTA are scheduled to take place in order to look at other options. No doubt the standard engine subject will be on the order.

Ferrari statement in full
"The Board of Directors of Ferrari SpA met today under the chairmanship of Luca di Montezemolo, to examine the third quarter results. The Board of Directors also examined the proposed changes to the Formula One regulations, in the light of the current global economic crisis.

"Whilst reiterating its wholehearted commitment to a substantial and needed reduction in costs in Formula One, starting with propulsion, the Ferrari Board of Directors expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved continuously since 1950, a raison d’etre based principally on competition and technological development.

"The Board of Directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners the viability of continuing its presence in the sport."

Daniel BASTIEN / E.A
© CAPSIS International

 

[Giannis]

Very brave decision! I'm with them %

 

[Imhotep Evil]

This is gonna the beginning of the end if the loyal team fans and technology fans leave the sport.
With lewisteric types/driver fanboys Grand Prix racing won't make it for another 102 years.

 

[Tarek]

I don't think FIA will upset it's spoiled child.

 

[modena_360stradale]

i don't think fia will upset it's spoiled child.

lol

 

[VroomVroom]

Okay..Cya!

Being serious now, I really hope they don't will be the end of f1

 

[Gullwing]

Maybe everyone will leave and start their own formula free of the Max and Bernie.

Or maybe Ferrari will be able to build their own engine and everyone else will be forced to use a standard engine.

 

[warot]

I don't think FIA will upset it's spoiled child.

Ferrari leaves and F1 will be less popular than golf without Tiger Woods. Hate them or love them, they are a big part of F1

 

[Bartek S.]

Bernie has to give up his stupid idea to save F1.

 

[ateekt]

F1 without Ferrari is like Pamela Anderson without tits & no one wanna see her without them ...!

 

[Gullwing]

F1 without Ferrari is like Pamela Anderson without tits & no one wanna see her without them ...!

I lost all interest in Pam years ago. She was ok 10-15 years ago.
Saw a clip of her giving Hef a cake on his birthday this year while watching as few minutes of "the girls next door" Pam looked

 

[kovachian]

+1 to all that's been said on the potential tragedy of Ferrari's departure from F1. If they leave, they'll take F1's popularity with them and F1 will be reduced to a mere shell of itself.

 

[siko]

Well now at least it won't happen!

As much as I hate saying it, I applaud the Reds for their statement!

I'm sure other manufacturers will follow suit.

 

[Tarek]

Ferrari leaves and F1 will be less popular than golf without Tiger Woods. Hate them or love them, they are a big part of F1

Make no mistake.

 

[justanthony]

FIA vs Ferrari dispute wow!! this should be interesting!

 

[Centurion]

For the first time, me and Ferrari are standing on the same side. I fully understand them, with all the standardisation and limitations in the pipeline, forcing all teams to use the same engine would be the final nail int he coffin. No manufacturer, especially the prestigious ones want to be reduced to just stickers and pain job. Ferrari's heritage is very F1 derived so this would be disastrous for them and their business of selling..........pillows, aftershaves and faux Ferrari car keys.

 

[PanterroR]

FIA respond to the Ferrari threat



It really does seem that communications between FOTA and the FIA are not at their best for the time being with both sides seemingly willing to publish responses to each other in the media. This of course is good news for hard-core race fans, as we do get to see what is going on at the highest levels within the sport.

Yesterday evening the Ferrari stated that the board of directors ‘expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved continuously since 1950, a raison d’etre based principally on competition and technological development. The Board of Directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners the viability of continuing its presence in the sport.’

In other words, if the FIA decide the sport must have a sole engine supplier, Ferrari would no longer compete in the series, probably along with many others.

This afternoon the FIA put out a press release claiming that the Italian carmaker had not seen the big picture and that the governing body was not all about forcing unwanted off-the-peg kit on the teams, but that is one of the options should there not be progress on cutting costs within the sport.

"It seems the Ferrari Board were misinformed," the statement began."The FIA has offered the teams three options, one of which is the so-called standard engine, and another that the manufacturers should jointly guarantee to supply power trains to the independent teams for less than €5m per season."

Ferrari announced increased revenues and profit yesterday in the same statement, something the FIA was keen to pick upon to ram home their view that costs are currently too high and cannot be sustained.

"The FIA is delighted by Ferrari's financial success and hopes this will be maintained," it continued. "However a number of teams find themselves facing costs which greatly exceed income. This is not sustainable. It is now for the manufacturers to agree one of the three FIA options or themselves produce concrete proposals to reduce costs to a sustainable level. If neither happens, the FIA will take whatever measures prove necessary to preserve a credible world championship for both drivers and constructors."

The ball is now back with FOTA as the FIA claim they have laid out the options and it is up to the teams to essentially decide the regulatory framework the sport must adhere to from 2010.


Source: F1 : FIA respond to the Ferrari threat - FIA - F1-Live.com