Ferrari is looking to formulate a breakaway series, one that will rival the Formula One. Bernie Ecclestone confirmed the news today as Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne is already in talks about foriming a rebel championship.
Ferrari is the only team that has featured in every F1 season until now, but has threatened to quit unless Liberty Media change plans for the future.
The area of concern for Ferrari is around Liberty’s vision on engines and prize money distribution, something that did not go down well with Ferrari.
Ecclestone though believes that Ferrari has to stay in the F1 as Formula One is Ferrari and Ferrari is Formula One.
“Some people have a new series in mind,” Ecclestone said.
“Sergio has spoken to other people about it.
“The bottom line is simple. Formula One is Ferrari and Ferrari is Formula One.
“If you go and speak to anyone in the world, they don’t care about Ferrari road cars.
“I’d hate to see F1 without them.” he added.
Ecclestone though feels that Ferrari’s new league could draw a lot of supporters as the promoters too want a better deal and competition could help provide them with it.
“If a new series started and it had the same elements as there is now, and it was cheaper for the promoters than F1 then they would immediately say ‘yes’ [to Ferrari],” he said.
Ferrari though have a deal until 2020 which will keep them tied to the sport but the background work can be done in the meantime. However, this seems highly unlikely, as Formula One authorities would do everything in their power to stop Ferrari from exiting F1.
