Ferrari – and later BMW – have not excluded the possibility of leaving the sport, as a response to FIA's optional 40M (pounds sterling) budget cap imposed for next year.
While immediately urged by F1 supreme Bernie Ecclestone to take on a less aggressive approach on the matter, Mosley was now criticized for his comments by most of the F1 drivers. Past and (maybe) future drivers of the prancing horse have expressed their disagreement with Mosley, insisting they cannot envision the Great Circle without its most loyal competitor.
Ferrari is the only team who has participated in all seasons of the Formula One Championship since its very beginning in 1950.
“It was a bit strange hearing that from him, because I thought people were looking and listening to fans worldwide. And Ferrari obviously is the biggest name in F1 with the main supporters,” said BMW's Nick Heidfeld.
Fernando Alonso, the two-time world champion that will presumably wear the all-red racing suit starting 2011 (maybe even 2010), said it would be impossible to go on without Ferrari in F1, while former McLaren teammate and reigning F1 champ Lewis Hamilton argued he “couldn't imagine” the sport without it.
“Without Ferrari it's not formula one anymore,” said Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who has never contested for the prancing horse until now.
As expected, Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber was the more direct driver, saying the FIA should renounce the plan to introduce optional budget caps in F1.
“To have two different regulations, for me as a driver, that's not attractive at all. I want the guy at the other end of the tennis court to have the same raquet as me, basically,” said the Australian.
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