FOM/Ecclestone should pay for F1 to have 'budget' engine - Ferrari

[CurdaNeta]

Formula 1's engine manufacturers would be prepared to develop a power unit for rivals but commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone's organisation should finance it, believes Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne.

The manufacturers have until Friday this week to come up with a range of proposals to address engine concerns, in particular the price of power unit supplies, and submit them to the FIA.

It follows the decision to park the idea of an alternative, more cost effective, engine for independent teams to ease their financial burden.

Marchionne said he did not object to the concept of such an engine and was open to the manufacturers playing a part - provided Formula One Management picked up the bill.

"If you go to Mercedes and you tell them 'please give us a group of engineers to develop in a parallel mode a different engine, different to that of Mercedes that is compliant with the F1 rules and that costs a certain amount' then I think FOM should cover that amount of money," said Marchionne during Ferrari's Christmas media briefing.

"Ferrari is available to join a project where we could develop power units.

"We would also consider sharing our technology but we should not be the only one.

"The development commitments should be shared with the other teams having the power units and of course that should be done in economic terms."

Engine manufacturers have been asked to reduce customer engine costs, but Marchionne said it was "inappropriate" to ask them to spend money developing a new engine formula and then dictate how much they charge irrespective of the business model.

"Ferrari spends a lot of money in F1 and this has a great impact on the brands and development on a lot of our commercial activities that do not have a lot to do with F1," he said. "It costs a lot of money.

"This is also expensive for Mercedes. It seems the only winner is Bernie.

"Those who are managing the commercial rights should take their responsibility.

"We also have a responsibility but it's different.

"A change in the rules, imposing obligations on Ferrari or Mercedes, is absolutely inappropriate."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122436

[tifosi1993]

Perfectly reasonable, given how much money Bernie and his banker buddies take home compared to mid-field teams.

[abbottcostello]

Oh, this just gets better & better. Go get 'em Sergio!!

[TigerKing]

I thought this was the original idea! Bernie is cheaper than I thought!

[Hornet]

I don't see anything reasonable about having multi-tiered F1. That's not the right solution to the cost issue.

Maybe they should start by looking at how the money is distributed. Instead of trying to further complicate an already complicated sport.

[abbottcostello]

I don't see anything reasonable about having multi-tiered F1. That's not the right solution to the cost issue.

Maybe they should start by looking at how the money is distributed. Instead of trying to further complicate an already complicated sport.

This is something Bernie refuses to let into this whole discussion, he's worried about engine manufacturers having power/control, not about teams going bankrupt. That's the sad thing, just think back to his past remarks about small teams folding... he couldn't care less.

It's all about control for him, the 'cost' argument is just convenient at the moment.

[Brembo]

As to Bernie and Co. Ferrari needs to " Offer him a deal he can't refuse!

[wisepie]

I love Marchionne's forthright attitude, he and Bernie should be put in the ring together to hammer out who is talking sense and who isn't!!

[Liscia]

Yes, just the two of them with one knife but then maybe Bernie the Ecc's practiced treachery may get the best of Sergio?