Ferrari threatens to quit Formula 1 - again

Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has warned that the Italian team may quit Formula 1, despite the sport being part of its “DNA”.

Raising concerns over plans for new engine designs and a proposed budget cap introduced by the sport’s new owners, Liberty Media, the Ferrari chief said that if F1 takes a new direction, the Italians may head for the exit.

It’s not the first time that the the Maranello-based team has spoken out about its F1 future. In 2009, Evo magazine reported that Ferrari was threatening to not participate in the 2010 championship because of proposals for a team budget cap.

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A statement by Ferrari released at the time said: “If the regulations adopted for 2010 will not change then Ferrari does not intend to enter its cars in the next Formula One World Championship.”

According to the BBC, Marchionne yesterday told investors that F1 has been “part of our DNA since the day we were born” before warning: “If we change the sandbox to the point it becomes unrecognisable, I don’t want to play any more.”

Ferrari is believed to have a contract with F1 until 2020. The Independent reports that when asked what it would mean to be the man who takes the team out of F1, Marchionne said: “Like a million bucks, because I’ll be working on an alternative strategy to try and replace it. A more rational one, too.”

Mercedes and Renault have also objected to new engine designs scheduled for introduction in 2021.

The sport’s strategy group - the six top teams, the FIA and F1 - will meet next Tuesday to discuss the new engine proposals, along with Liberty’s long-term vision for F1. It could be a lively meeting.

“Liberty has got a couple of good intentions in all of this, one of which is to reduce the cost of execution for the team, which I think is good,” said Marchionne, according to the BBC.

“There are a couple of things we don’t necessarily agree with, one of which is the fact that somehow powertrain uniqueness is not going to be one of the drivers of distinctiveness of the participants’ line-up. I would not countenance this going forward.

“The fact we now appear to be at odds in terms of the strategic development of this thing, and we see the sport in 2021 taking on a different air, is going to force some decisions on the part of Ferrari.

“It needs to be absolutely clear that unless we find a set of circumstances, the results of which are beneficial to the maintenance of the brand, and the marketplace, and to the strengthening of the unique position for Ferrari, Ferrari will not play.”