A warning issued by the Ferrari team stating that it will quit the Formula One racing circuit if the FIA carries out plans to reduce the cost of engine manufacture has shocked the world of sport.

The governing body has stated that it would like all F1 cars to use standard engine parts in an effort to preserve the integrity of smaller teams. Ferrari is adamant that the new rule will suck the life out of F1 racing, reducing the competitive nature of the sport and stifling the development of racing technologies.

Ferrari believes that it no longer has any obligation to compete: “If competition and technological development become obsolete, our administrative council reserves the right to evaluate whether we are committed to the discipline of Formula One.”

Honda, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, and Renault have all joined Ferrari’s crusade but the FIA is refusing to be bullied into submission. Should a deal become too difficult to negotiate, Max Mosley, the president of the FIA, has warned that the governing body will take matters into its own hands.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson identified misinformation as the cause of Ferrari’s woes and pointed out that the ‘standard’ engine is one of three packages available to competing teams.

The FIA wants the bigger fish (the likes of Mercedes, Honda, and Ferrari) to support the independent teams by loaning them power trains for a budget price of around €5m per season. Mr. Mosley explained that whilst Ferrari is seeing regular profits, a few teams continue to be affected by debt and may become unable to compete in future race series.

Ferrari’s tantrums should not be underestimated. The Italian firm has always enjoyed a close relationship with the principal sponsors of the sport. In 1986, Ferrari forced the FIA to scrap plans to ban v12 engines, a move which would have had similar repercussions to the current situation. Had the FIA succeeded in enforcing the rule, there would have been no further development on twelve cylinder racing engines.

However, the situation seems a little childish. The governing body of any sport should not be swayed by the complaints of any team, manager, or player regardless of how much money they have.

Unfortunately, red is the colour of F1 racing and even the most ignorant of sports fans would be able to recognise a Ferrari over a Renault or a Honda. The FIA stands to lose a lot more than pride if Ferrari decides to drive away from Formula One.

The FIA are still open to suggestions and will allow manufacturers to put forward their own ideas regarding the new proposal. However, both Ferrari and the BMW-Sauber team remain convinced that the standard engine is doomed to oblivion in the wake of overwhelming opposition.

Formula One racing is supposed to be a melting pot of technological innovation and international competition but unless something is done to bridge the increasing rift between the racing giants and the independent teams, F1 may soon find itself becoming an exclusive club.