Boss boosted by F1 rethink

Milan – Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne (above), who has warned that his glamour team could walk away from Formula One after 2020, said this week he was encouraged by a “change in attitude” from the sport’s owners as they map out F1’s future.

Speaking to analysts, the chairman saw a basis for “meaningful discussions” and hoped everything could be resolved by the end of the year.

“I’m encouraged by the change in the attitude that we are seeing from Liberty in terms of the extent of the changes they’re forecasting in 2021,” he said.

“Probably the biggest indication has been the recognition of the fact that the engine regulations need to sort of reflect the nature of the sport. And we can’t really dumb down engine development just to accommodate new entries, right?

“So the stuff that’s on the table now is potentially workable as a system. The economics are not,” he added. “I think that’s something we need to go back to Liberty with.”

Commercial rights holders Liberty Media, who took over Formula One in January last year, want to implement a cost cap, improve the racing and have a fairer distribution of revenues to level the playing field.

They also want engines to remain hybrid and road relevant, with the rules making the sport attractive for any new entrants.

Ferrari, the oldest and most successful team, receive special payments to reflect their status.

Critics say the V6 turbo hybrid engines are too complicated, quiet and costly and must be simpler, cheaper and noisier.