May 1 (GMM) Not since Ferrari built but never raced an Indycar in the 1980s has the Italian marque's relationship with the FIA been at such a low point.

The 637 single seater was the team's tangible threat to the governing body that its stance over V12 engines could realistically result in withdrawal from formula one.

This time, the threat is Le Mans, with Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali to attend and president Luca di Montezemolo to give the official start signal at the prestigious 24 hour sports car race in June.

"Le Mans is synonymous with technologically-advanced sporting competition and has always been a focus of great attention on our part," he said.

Ferrari's anger, now revealed with a spate of letters between Montezemolo and Max Mosley this week, is about the 40m pounds sterling voluntary budget cap for 2010.

Montezemolo's opposition to the plan is well known, but in one letter he referred to "Ferrari's guaranteed rights" not being adhered to.

It is believed he is referring to a power of veto granted to Ferrari when it committed to formula one over a breakaway championship four years ago.

In a letter of reply, Mosley hit back: "I do not accept that these regulations compromise any commitment that has been given to Ferrari, unless Ferrari would somehow argue that they are entitled to prevent new competitors from emerging at a time when the sport itself is in danger and new competitors are so badly needed."

 

Yeah. I speculated about this yesterday. It is a very interesting development.

https://teamspeed.com/forums/pit-sto...mans-race.html

 

Just posturing perhaps...

 

Luca was invited so he is going. But I would not be suprised to see Ferrari looking for new revenue streams - especially since it looks like Fiat is going to buy Chrysler.

 

I don't think that Ferrari will leave F1. It's just a threat like MB's stating that they might leave prior to the WMSC meeting this week. However, as a die hard sports car racing fan, I would love to see Ferrari back in the prototype fold along with a new and yet to be announced challenger from Porsche. It would be like the old days, to see these great marques going toe to toe. Unfortunately, this is probably just me dreaming again.

 

Maybe they could do BOTH? That would be great - I'd love to see Ferrari duke it out w/ Porsche at Le Mans; love to see BMW, Toyota, Honda, etc., etc. as well.

 

Based on the News Friday, Fiat is getting about a 20% stake in the new Chrysler although it may no longer be called "Chrysler" after bankruptcy...

 

What will it be called?

 

UAW Motors

 

No one knows what it will be called.. I guess that will be decided in bankruptcy. UAW motors... is funny...

If they can't sell cars it will not matter what it's called and the UAW members will all be looking for jobs...