Ferrari could leave F1 if standard engine introduced

Ferrari have this evening said that the introduction of a standard F1 engine could result in the Italian marque pulling out of F1, in what could be the most damaging move ever witnessed in the 59-year history of the sport. Following on from the news that the FIA plans to push ahead with the standard F1 engine, the Ferrari Board of Directors issued a stark threat to leave the sport over what it calls 'diminishing competition and technological development'.

In announcing a 40% rise in third quarter profits compared to 2007, the Board of Directors acknowledged that costs had to be controlled, particularly with regard to engines, but was vehemently opposed to standardising the unit. The news comes just hours after Toyota F1 President John Howett confirmed in an interview with autosport.com that Toyota officials could reconsider their team's participation in the sport should the engine be standardised, despite the standardisation only due to stay in place for three years.

Ferrari is the only team on the grid to have participated in every World Championship since its inception in 1950, and is statistically the most successful constructor. While the mantra of 'no team or driver is bigger than the sport' may regularly be cited as reason to be hopeful, the withdrawal of Ferrari from Formula One would cause lasting shockwaves, damaging its history, marketability and fan base, not to mention the difficulties the repercussions would cause for the remaining independent teams.

"The Board of Directors examined the proposed changes to the Formula 1 regulations, in the light of the current global economic crisis," said a statement from Ferrari.

"Whilst reiterating its wholehearted commitment to a substantial and needed reduction in costs in Formula 1, starting with propulsion, the Ferrari Board of Directors expressed strong concerns regarding plans to standardise engines as it felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved continuously since 1950, a raison d'etre based principally on competition and technological development."

"The Board of Directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners the viability of continuing its presence in the sport."

Although it's widely acknowledged that the FIA is unlikely to bring its plan of a standard F1 engine to fruition, today's announcement that the governing body is continuing with the plan, for the time being, has caused major annoyance to the sport's car manufacturers. These latest developments come less than a week after the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association reached a historical agreement to cuts costs and to supply engines to independent teams at a vastly reduced cost. Despite this, the saga rumbles on.