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Ferrari threatens to leave F1 over FIA’s engine plan

Formula One’s governing body is moving forward with its plan to have a sole engine and transmission supplier beginning in 2010, saying some parties have shown interest in the bidding process.

FIA said in a statement on Monday that it “received a number of questions from interested parties regarding” the invitation to tender it made on Oct. 17.

The governing body intends to introduce rule amendments “requiring all competitors must use a standardized engine and transmission system” for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Ferrari is not pleased with the decision, saying it could pull out of F1 if the changes go through. Following a board meeting on Monday, the Italian team said in a statement that introducing a standardized engine would eliminate the essence of a sport “based on competition and technological development.”

“The board of Ferrari, confirming its full support for the substantial and necessary reduction in costs starting with engines, has however expressed strong reservations about the project to equalize or standardize engines,” the Ferrari statement said. “The board reserves the right to consider, together with our partners, our presence in this discipline.”

Ferrari, controlled by Italian car firm Fiat, won last year’s world constructors’ championship and their driver Kimi Raikkonen took the individual title.

His team mate Felipe Massa is in the running for this season’s title, with the final Grand Prix taking place in Brazil on Sunday.

The FIA said that joint bids for engines and transmissions and for engines alone must be submitted by next Friday. Bids for power transmission systems alone won’t be due until three weeks later.

Some teams had initially complained about the proposal, but the measure is part of the FIA’s moves to reduce costs in F1 amid the global financial crisis.

The FIA also said it also intends to set minimum usage requirements based on kilometers. Changing an engine or transmission system before the minimum requirement would bring penalties for teams.

The exclusive engine supplier will provide either the full engine or the information so the teams can build them. The sole supplier will work with the FIA to ensure that all engines and parts are in accordance to the rules.

The supplier of transmission systems will provide them ready to use to all competitors. The bidders will quote overall prices per car and per season of between 18 and 20 races, plus 30,000km of testing, the FIA said.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, also head of the Formula One Teams Association, recently met FIA chief Max Mosley to discuss cost cutting measures, saying he was satisfied with progress made during the talks.

However, the company’s board are not impressed with the standard engine idea.

“The [board] felt that such a move would detract from the entire raison d’etre of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved continuously since 1950, a raison d’etre based principally on competition and technology development,” the statement read.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has backed the FIA’s standard engine proposal and rejected suggestions that it might push some manufacturers towards the exit.

“We’re trying to get a level playing field,” he told reporters earlier this month. “I don’t see why [manufacturers] should leave, we’re saving them an awful lot of money I hope. All the technical things will still be there, they can show all of their talent.”
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