法拉利不满设立预算上限 欲退出F1比赛

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对于国际汽联为2010赛季设立的预算上限，法拉利车队表达了极大的不满，并直言如果国际汽联选择执行这一预算，那么法拉利将在下赛季退出F1。

“如果国际汽联不改变决定，那么我们就将退出F1。”在会上，法拉利的观点非常明确，“我们反对国际汽联关于在新赛季设立预算上限的决定，当然也不会在下赛季注册参赛。”如果说法拉利的退赛让人感到遗憾的话，那么更加糟糕的是，持这种观点的并非法拉利一家，本赛季表现抢眼的丰田和红牛车队也暗示无法接受国际汽联预算上限的设置，正在考虑下赛季是否退出F1。

Cars win races, not drivers. That’s what they believe for Ferrari. And for the last 60 years here in Maranello. They built the technology that has dominated motor racing. Formula One without Ferrari, it’s unthinkable. Think again, says the son of the man who started it all.

“There is other option. This is not, we are not in jail. Formula One is not a jail. We can step out when we like.”But are you serious about pulling out of Formula One if this, if the cap goes ahead?

Yes, for sure.

Formula One’s governing body the FIA is worried about the future of this sport. Critics say Ferrari’s dominance has made Formula one predictable meanwhile the economic downturn has forced manufacturers like Honda to give up. The concern is that other teams will follow.

Formula One is an expensive business. Last season, Force India spent an estimated 80 million pounds on a car that failed to win any points. Williams spent an estimated 100 million pounds but still finished eighth. Ferrari won the constructor's championship but is thought to have spent an estimated 275 million pounds in the process.  

Little wonder then that Ferrari and other big teams hate the idea of a 40-million pound cap on research and development.

“No compromise. We don’t want to make any step back. Really, no compromise. We want no budget cap, same rules for everybody, clear rules, and that’s it, there.”

History suggests Ferrari might get its way.

In 1986, Ferrari fell out with the authorities and threatened to leave Formula One to compete in the Indianapolis 500. They even went as far as building the car but it was never used, because in the end the authorities backed down.

Ferrari says it will spend what it wants. The FIA says a budget cap will be imposed, irresistible force, immovable object. But it isn’t over yet.