Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has said he would consider pulling Ferrari out of Formula 1 if the sport introduces an independent engine which is less technical than the hybrid-V6 currently in use.
Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt tried to introduce an independent engine which doesn’t utilise the hybrid system, therefore making it far more affordable, but it was rejected during a recent vote.
However Ecclestone said the proposal wasn’t dead just yet and could in fact happen in 2018 – a year later than originally planned.
Ferrari would seriously consider walking away from F1 if it happens, according to Marchionne, who insists the rules need to allow for teams to push development.
“Ferrari would find other ways to express its ability to race and to win,” he told Motorsport during Ferrari’s annual Christmas event in Maranello.
“It would be a huge shame [if Ferrari quit], but Ferrari cannot be put in a corner on its knees and say nothing,” he added.
“The problem is that in trying to create a power unit that is more affordable for smaller teams, we are in a way taking away from those organisations that are able to develop. And that is the reason why we go racing.
“We go to the track to prove to ourselves and to everyone our ability to manage the power unit. If we begin to undermine this advantage, Ferrari has no intention of racing.
“I understand very well the difficulties that smaller teams face, but this is something that FOM has to solve; it is not something Ferrari has to solve.”
