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• Ferrari issue quit threat, and turn up heat on FIA

  Yesterday Ferrari announced that if the 2010 regulations remain unchanged they will not submit an entry to next year's Formula One World Championship.

  They follow Toyota, and Dietrich Mateschitz' two teams (Red Bull and Toro Rosso), who indicated that they would not submit entries under the two-tier regulations. We're also hearing that later today Renault will follow these 4 teams' lead.

  The argument sides over the introduction of two sets of technical rules, and a budget cap. Teams have the option of entering under a £40m budget cap, or status quo. However teams that choose the cap will have greater technical freedom in which to develop their cars. Freedoms include, unlimited engine revs, testing, adjustable rear wings, double power KERS, and potentially 4-wheel drive.

  Even operating under a £40m budget (which in itself poses many problems in enforcing), such technical freedom would bring such advantage that in reality there is little option.

  "It is clear that you would need to compete at the £40 million budget cap because the car would be quicker. And if you see that the engine revs are unlimited, then engines excluded from the cap, the KERS is excluded, you are probably talking about a budget of £150 million or more. It is a very confused situation that we need to clarify more."

  John Howett - Toyota Motorsport President

  While Toyota and Red Bull's announcement largely fell on deaf ears (out with F1), to say the Ferrari statement has been reported widely would be an understatement.

  Speculation about the future of F1 is rife; GP2 teams to fill the empty grid, Ferrari and other manufacturers to adopt A1GP, Toyota and Renault to use this as an excuse to withdraw from F1...

  The situation is a political mess, and Ferrari have just cranked up the heat. Whatever happens two things are for sure, we're in for a significant change, and the fans will lose out.

  Ferrari's statement in full;

  "Ferrari's Board of Directors, chaired by Luca di Montezemolo, today analysed the first quarter results for 2009. Despite the current international economic climate, which has hit the automotive sector in particular, Ferrari's figures were in line with the record levels reached in 2008. Turnover for the first three months was 441 million euro compared to 455.7 million euro over the same period in 2008. The first quarter closed with a trading profit of 54 million euro compared to last year's 59 million euro.

  These results reflect the introduction of new models, in particular the success of the Ferrari California and the Scuderia Spider 16M, the constant growth in activities linked to the brand (e-commerce, licensing, merchandising and retail) and the company's continuing efforts to maximise efficiency.

  The Board of Directors also examined developments related to recent decisions taken by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile during an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on 29 April 2009. Although this meeting was originally called only to examine a disciplinary matter, the decisions taken mean that, 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 considers 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.

  The Board also expressed its disappointment about the methods adopted by the FIA in taking decisions of such a serious nature and its refusal to effectively reach an understanding with constructors and teams. 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 itself regarding the stability of the regulations. The same rules for all teams, stability of regulations, the continuity of the FOTA's 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 Ferrari does not intend to enter its cars in the next Formula One World Championship.

  Ferrari trusts that its many fans worldwide will understand that this difficult decision is coherent with the Scuderia's approach to motor sport and to Formula One in particular, always seeking to promote its sporting and technical values. The Chairman of the Board of Directors was mandated to evaluate the most suitable ways and methods to protect the company's interests.

  Ferrari S.p.A. - Maranello 12 May 2009

  • Date: 11:34am Wed, 13^th May 2009
  • By: Richard
  • Section: Latest News