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Ferrari set to quit Formula One
12 May 2009
Ferrari have confirmed their intention to pull out of Formula One from next season as the battle over the FIA's proposed new rules escalates.
In a short statement on the team's website, the sport's most famous team said they will not be on the grid in 2010.
"We confirm our opposition to the new technical regulations adopted by the FIA and do not intend entering our cars in the 2010 F1 Championship," the statement read.
Ferrari are among several teams to have been angered by the FIA's plans to impose a £40million budget cap on teams from next year, and today's move will hugely increase the pressure on FIA president Max Mosley to find a compromise.
Crunch talks were already planned in the next few days with the May 29 deadline for 2010 entries fast approaching.
Prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, Toyota boss John Howett said his team were unlikely to commit by that deadline if the FIA pressed ahead with their plans, but it is Ferrari who have made the move first.
Today's announcement will put to the test Mosley's resolve after he claimed earlier this month that Formula One could live without Ferrari, the sport's most famous, most successful, and longest-tenured team.
Ferrari are the only team to have contested every season of the world championship since the modern format was introduced in 1950.
But more than that, the tradition of the famous prancing horse has long been synonymous with the sport, and the team are the most popular among F1 fans.
The decision to threaten to pull out of the 2010 championship came at a meeting of the Ferrari board of directors in Maranello today.
Ferrari believe the FIA's new regulations would lead to an unacceptable two-tiered F1 championship, which they consider would be "based on arbitrary technical rules and economic parameters".
"The board consider that if this is the regulatory framework for Formula 1 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," said a report from today's board meeting.
The report went on to criticise the FIA's decision-making process, claiming that teams have not been properly consulted.
The report continued: "The rules of governance that have contributed to the development of Formula 1 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 1 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 do not intend to enter our cars in the next Formula 1 World Championship."
Reader views (14)
Who really cares? This is the dullest 'sport' in the world and it's only watched by losers and weirdos.
- Chris, London, 13/05/2009 13:51
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I couldn't agree more Ethan. Max Mosley needs to go soon if F1 is going to survive. I believe he is supposed to be stepping down later this year but I could put money on the fact that he will hang on as long as possible. He and Bernie Ecclestone are a right pair! Ferrari MAY spend the most money but that doesn't necessarily make them the best team.
- Penny, Ealing, Ealing, UK, 13/05/2009 11:05
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i find fi incredibly boring now ect radios in the cars pit stops the leader is inevitably miles in front of second place at the end compare this to the fabulous first superbike race at monza last sunday.
- C May, biggin hill, 13/05/2009 10:25
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@ Carlos.
You're right. One of the team's hospitality complexes does indeed cost £40million, and that is ridiculous. Hospitality, however, is not included in the proposed budget cap, which just exposes it for the sham that it is.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County, 13/05/2009 10:04
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Ferrari are not even the biggest spenders in F1, and haven't been for many a season. There are other teams that will not submit entries unless the FIA make a move to make changes.
This is NOT about Ferrari, it is about the very future of F1 and the FIA have been found lacking. Yes changes need to be made, but the changes need to be realistic.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County, 13/05/2009 10:02
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it seems to me that the F1 wants to level the playing field. no one else can afford to spend like ferrari, and if there is no cap on spending, ferrari will just spend their way to victory everytime. F1 knows other teams will not be able to compete as they are all cutting back on their budget. rather than have those who are poorer stop entering their cars to F1,rather than have no hope of winning. it is thought best to limit the amount spent and give everyone a chance. at least that is what i think the reasons are to limit how much each team can spend.
- Anthony Wong, london uk, 13/05/2009 09:44
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So many comments have missed the point. Max Moseley was instrumental in the sale of F1 commercial rights to his friend Bernie Ecclestone. Bernie then sells on those rights to a venture capital company CVC. CVC needs the huge profits from F1 to pay back the bank loans it took out for the purchase. The F1 teams have finally stopped bickering and got themselves organised under FOTA. They want a bigger share of the F1 profits. As an attempt to destroy FOTA and preserve the profits going to CVC, Max has imposed a budget cap. Not only will this destroy innovation in F1, but lead to redundancies across the industry. Max and the FIA are not interested in cutting costs; if they were they would never have made the F1 teams develop something as expensive as KERS.
- Ethan Keates, Weybridge, England, 13/05/2009 09:34
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The little green eyed Trolls are out in force! Ever actually driven Ferrari? No, didn't think so! They are emotional cars to drive, Mercedes are ultra reliable but bloody boring, Porsche is great but the cache` is way less and they have never won aty F1. The rules being imposed by Moseley are ill thought out and would actually destroy F1 and turn it into USA style Indy car racing...utterly mind numbingly boring and not a source of technical innovation.
F1 and Ferrari would lose out, but betcha Bernie bashes heads together and F1 sails on...
- James Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, NY, 13/05/2009 01:56
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They won't be missed.
- Graham, St Albans, Herts, UK, 12/05/2009 22:34
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With Chrysler and possibly GM Europe to support, Fiat will have other uses for 40 million. Ferrari, you are the weakest link. Goodbye.
- Doug Watt, london e14, 12/05/2009 17:45
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The sport would be a whole lot healthier without the Cheating Horse. Clearly they have no confience on their abilit to compete on a levle playing field.
- Ian, London, 12/05/2009 17:26
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The Ferrari hospitality/motorhome complex seen at the Barcelona track last Sunday must be worth around £40m!!!!
- Carlos, FAREHAM, Hants, 12/05/2009 17:09
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Let them go then. For last 40 years or so they have ensured the rules favour them. Its the usual sour grapes from a team who spend hundreds of £millions each year but are being well beat by Brawn and others. Just shows how good Brawn (Honda) have been with a decent engine in the car.
- Mike, London England, 12/05/2009 17:05
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goodbye ferrari dont like rules never have unless they suit you the world moves on
- David Goldie, woking surrey, 12/05/2009 17:01
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