FIA president: "Ferrari free to quit F1"
- Published on 15 Mar 2018 10:18
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Ferrari is free to quit formula one after 2020, FIA president Jean Todt says. At the Geneva motor show, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne doubled down on his threat to quit the sport by saying the Maranello team could race in America instead.
"Why not?" he is quoted by the Italian press as saying. "We have this tradition and we think about it." Ferrari is railing against Liberty Media in particular, as plans for a new engine formula and budget cap beyond 2020 are advanced.
But the FIA is also set to enrage Ferrari, as Todt said the team's historical veto is likely to be withdrawn. "In the time of Enzo Ferrari, they were the only team that produced both the chassis and the engine and they needed protection," said Todt. "Times have changed."
As for Ferrari's quit threat, the Italian outfit's former boss sounded unmoved. "It Ferrari leaves, it will be their choice. They can do what they want," said Todt. "Of course I hope they will not, but it cannot be ruled out," the Frenchman added. (GMM)
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Replies (9)
Login to replyf1dave
Posts: 782
Race in America ? NASCAR here they come.
2GRX7
Posts: 108
Race in America? What a clown! So how's that work- he's going to race in a series that has EVEN MORE spec parts (including the chassis)? Dallara does have a key connection to Ferrari (Dallara worked there), so does that mean Ferrari re: Marchionne) influence over Indy Car direction, blowing up costs there? I don't think the other teams will allow it-unless Ferrari foots the bill for an expansion)
This guy's a childish A-hole!
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
F1 should try firing Ferrari. No one should be above Racing, not even FIA, Liberty.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Someone fetch me Marchionne's AND Todt's resignation letters!
Kean
Posts: 692
Growing tired of these big teams whining as soon as the FIA or Liberty talk about a more equal distribution of money and power between the teams, along with budget caps and an engine formula which would make it more likely that other manufacturers enters the sport (correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it a V6 twin turbo with an MGU-K that was proposed, i.e. adding a turbo and axing the MGU-H? What's so terrible about that?) All they're really saying is that they can't compete if they don't enjoy an unfair competitive edge, that being the ability to outspend other teams on R'nD whilst enjoying a disproportionate share of the revenue to keep the wheels turning. I say becoming world champions by beating 9 teams on more or less equal footing is far more prestigious than beating two. Grow some guts and show us you can beat the likes of Force India when working on their budget level.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
No, twin turbos are currently not on the table. The problem is probably the MGU-H. I just dont think any of the manufacturers are willing to let go of that component completely.
Kean
Posts: 692
Why? Is it because the MGU-H is not restricted in regard to how much power you can extract from it, and the MGU-K is? Or is it because they want to put it on their road cars?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Both, probably. MGU-H is tech with loads of potential if implemented correctly. Expensive for sure, and the leading problem part for all but Merc, but it is a valuable part, and they get good data from F1. TT is nice, but its a done thing, the same with MGU-K, but imagine a Mercedes road car with an MGU-H. Im all for cutting costs and improving the show, but Im not sure it should be by completely removing MGU-H. Limit? Sure, maybe even standardize, but remove? Not sure.
TeMpL
Posts: 4
Better title: Jean Todt FREE to quit !!!!