MARCHIONNE: ENGINE HELP TALK JUST ‘HOGWASH’

FERRARI PRESIDENT SERGIO Marchionne says Bernie Ecclestone’s claims that Mercedes and the FIA helped his team are nothing but “unadulterated hogwash”.

Ecclestone was quoted in an Italian newspaper claiming that Ferrari had been assisted with its engine this season by Mercedes, and that the

FIA had “often helped” keep Ferrari competitive.

Marchionne (below) responded to Ecclestone’s claims by saying the former F1 boss should be thankful to Ferrari for helping the series’ profile during his era.

“I think it is what they call unadulterated hogwash,” he said. “I think Bernie should be very thankful that Ferrari was at the table, and helped him turn the sport into as financially lucrative a position as it ultimately materialised for [his] personal use. God bless him. I like Bernie, a lot, but I think Ferrari has done as much [for F1].”

Ecclestone had claimed Mercedes had assisted Ferrari this season because it feared Red Bull would be a stronger rival and wanted the kudos of a title fight with Ferrari.

“With the friendly situation between the two teams, the best thing for Stuttgart in 2017 was to make sure that a) Red Bull did not have the most powerful engines, and b) Ferrari was competitive enough to be a credible rival to beat,” said Ecclestone.

The allegation was dismissed by team bosses in the Mexican Grand Prix paddock last weekend.