Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has warned current owners Liberty Media that Ferrari could be considering a breakaway series if they leave the sport.
It is not the first time such a scenario has been suggested with teams going as far as putting forward a calendar for a proposed alternative to F1 in 2009 before eventually, all sides signed a new Concorde Agreement.
The latest threat put forward by Ecclestone comes as disagreements continue over the future direction of F1, with Liberty keen to level the playing field financially and introduce changes to the engines in 2021.
“Some people have a new series in mind, (Ferrari chairman) Sergio (Marchionne) has spoken to other people about it,” the Briton claims.
“I don’t think he does things unless he is serious and he is not the sort of guy who doesn’t do what he says he is going to do.”
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Ecclestone, who maintains the position of chairman emeritus after being replaced by Chase Carey over a year ago, is also concerned that a breakaway series wouldn’t be short of potential race destinations.
“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.
“Some of them who are currently upset with the amount of money they have to pay to stage a race would join.”
Despite contemplating what could be the death of the sport he mostly created, Ecclestone is hopeful this situation, like many before it, can be resolved.
“The bottom line is simple. F1 is Ferrari and Ferrari is F1,” he stated. “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.”
