Jean Alesi: Ferrari Should Quit F1

Ferrari are not alone in their efforts to stop standard engines from becoming an F1 variable in 2010. Despite Toyota's recent comments that they plan to stay inside the sport for the long run no matter what FIA decides on the standard engine matter, Ferrari received an unexpected 'help' from former driver Jean Alesi. The 44-year old Frenchman backed the Scuderia's decision to reconsider their future plans in Formula One if a standardized powertrain will become mandatory after next year.

“I have exactly the same thoughts as Ferrari. It's an absurd idea, because with a standard engine you would not be contesting a real constructors' championship. Ferrari is F1's flagship, and whoever has proposed this is not thinking about what is good for Ferrari nor F1. With standard engines, Maranello would be right to step out,” argued Alesi in an interview for Italian newspaper La Stampa.

The Frenchman spent some of his best professional years racing for the Maranello team in the mid-90s and insisted that the standard-engine proposal has nothing to do with FIA's new cost-cutting policy but is rather a 'political issue'.

“It has nothing to do with it, but rather it is a very deep and very complicated political issue, about which I do not want to say any more. It goes for all manufacturers. It is in effect asking BMW, Toyota and Mercedes to sack their engineers and buy an engine from the supermarket,” added the Frenchman.

FIA answered Ferrari's statement yesterday, asking the Italian manufacturer to reconsider their official position and reminding the Scuderia that standardized engines was only one of the many proposals due to be discussed at the next FIA-FOTA meeting (scheduled to take place after the Brazilian Grand Prix). FIA's statement insisted that an alternative for standard powertrains would be reducing engine costs within the paddock to a maximum 5 million euros per unit.