Only one day after the official announcement was made by Ferrari's Board of Directors, 2007 world champion Raikkonen backed his team point of view, adding that budget limitations will only lead to Formula One's collapse. He warned that “if that should happen, it would be too bad and I understand that a company like Ferrari is thinking about racing somewhere else.”
“It's difficult to think of a Formula 1 without Ferrari. When I drove for McLaren the Scuderia from Maranello was the benchmark, the competitor you had to be compared with. Since I arrived here I understood that it is much more than just a team, it's a legend, perpetuated via its road and racing cars,” added the Fin.
The idea about Ferrari going elsewhere – or even forming a rival series for F1 – was fully commented on by the Italian media on Wednesday. Even company's CEO Luca di Montezemolo admitted the prancing horse will take its business in other race competitions if the FIA won't do something about next year's rules.
“If it really was like that, then I have to say that our cars will race in other competitions, where – and I am absolutely convinced about that – they will find the enthusiasm and the passion of millions of fans, following us in every corner of the world. Racing is part of Ferrari's DNA and this is something that will never change,” said the Italian.
Felipe Massa is also 100 percent behind his team's decision to pull out, while insisting the fans will have the chance to rule for the Scuderia in other series.
“I understand the motivation, why the company got to this point. For a driver racing a Ferrari in Formula 1 is a dream and I made mine come true. Since I was a child Ferrari has been the synonym for racing for me; that's why I'm convinced that even if the Scuderia is forced to leave Formula 1, there will be other competitions, where it will be possible to admire the Reds on the track,” said Massa.
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