Montezemolo has recently commented in The Wall Street journal that 'Formula 1 isn't working' and there are rumours flying around that Ferrari are about to announce a LMP1 entry for the World Endurance Championship, possibly as early as today to coincide with Alonso waving the starter flag at Le Mans.
Could Ferrari be considering a switch from F1 to WEC? From the surface it does seem unlikely, they have a huge amount invested in F1, it is afterall their main advertising stream. But maybe that 'huge amount' is the problem. It is clear they have been unhappy for many years. This isn't the first time that they have indicated that they would consider walking away from the sport.
With the recent dismissal of Stefano and the introduction of Marco Mattiachi, a man with a degree in economics but with no experience in motorsport, you have to ask if his caretaker role is really just masking a hidden agenda. Apparently this man with no motorsport history is there to work out how to get Ferrari winning again. At least that is what the media are being told. However It may well be that he is there to work out if F1 is value for money. Is he there to consider if F1 is still where Ferrari should be? Could they get better value for money from other forms of motorsport such as the highly regarded Le Mans?
If Ferrari do shock the F1 world and leave, would that be the beginning of the end for F1? Viewing figures have been dropping thanks largely to Bernies pay TV deals. But if Ferrari leave, all of Italy will switch off along with many others. It would be unwise to underestimate Ferraris following. With falling viewing figures F1 becomes even less value for money and it would be near impossible to get another big manufacturer in to fill Ferraris boots under such circumstances.
Personally I feel F1 is bigger than just one team and could survive without Ferrari. But only by forcing through serious cost cutting. Otherwise I don't see anyway F1 can prosper.. survive maybe.. prosper no. Who knows with Ferrari gone maybe that will be the wake up call F1 needs to actually bring in cost cuts. With those cuts in place Ferrari may even look at returning.
I have never been a Ferrari fan. But F1's survival without them could well balance on a knife edge.
Could Ferrari be considering a switch from F1 to WEC? From the surface it does seem unlikely, they have a huge amount invested in F1, it is afterall their main advertising stream. But maybe that 'huge amount' is the problem. It is clear they have been unhappy for many years. This isn't the first time that they have indicated that they would consider walking away from the sport.
With the recent dismissal of Stefano and the introduction of Marco Mattiachi, a man with a degree in economics but with no experience in motorsport, you have to ask if his caretaker role is really just masking a hidden agenda. Apparently this man with no motorsport history is there to work out how to get Ferrari winning again. At least that is what the media are being told. However It may well be that he is there to work out if F1 is value for money. Is he there to consider if F1 is still where Ferrari should be? Could they get better value for money from other forms of motorsport such as the highly regarded Le Mans?
If Ferrari do shock the F1 world and leave, would that be the beginning of the end for F1? Viewing figures have been dropping thanks largely to Bernies pay TV deals. But if Ferrari leave, all of Italy will switch off along with many others. It would be unwise to underestimate Ferraris following. With falling viewing figures F1 becomes even less value for money and it would be near impossible to get another big manufacturer in to fill Ferraris boots under such circumstances.
Personally I feel F1 is bigger than just one team and could survive without Ferrari. But only by forcing through serious cost cutting. Otherwise I don't see anyway F1 can prosper.. survive maybe.. prosper no. Who knows with Ferrari gone maybe that will be the wake up call F1 needs to actually bring in cost cuts. With those cuts in place Ferrari may even look at returning.
I have never been a Ferrari fan. But F1's survival without them could well balance on a knife edge.