Todt tips Ferrari to drop F1 quit threat

Jean Todt thinks Ferrari's Formula 1 'quit threat' will eventually recede.

Indeed, team president Sergio Marchionne recently eased the threat, saying the latest negotiations with the FIA and Liberty Media over the future were more fruitful.

"Ferrari is an iconic brand. There are several reasons for that, and one of them is that the sport is very important for them. Ferrari profits from racing and racing profits from them.

'Ferrari profits from racing'

I'm convinced that if we set up a good format, they will continue to be interested," FIA president Todt, himself a former Ferrari chief, said in Barcelona.

READ: Ferrari free to quit F1 - Todt

However, Todt said the FIA must also think about the other teams in F1.

"We have to do something that's good for ten teams, not just one," he insisted.

"More than half of the teams are in difficulty, and that's not good for the premier discipline of motor sport. That's why we have to do something about the discrepancy between the teams."

Costs are high

At the heart of that problem, said Todt, are the high costs.

And so it looks likely that, in the 2021 regulations, the 'MHU-H' element of the power unit will be scrapped.

"It's an interesting technology, but nothing that is absolutely necessary to have a good world championship," said Todt.

"We want to make things simpler, and above all we want to interest new manufacturers.  We are well on the way with the engine regulations," he added.