Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has spoken of his fears for the future of Formula 1, just days before the FIA releases the official list of entrants for next season.
In an interview, Schumacher says he finds F1 unimaginable without the participation of the iconic Italian marque and other major car manufacturers – and argues that the big teams should not have to accept the radical agenda being pursued by the FIA.
The legendary German driver believes the current disputes over cost-capping and governance will have to be settled on the manufacturers’ terms if the sport is not to lose its core appeal.
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“It’s not a very exciting situation that we’re facing – especially the sport that I have participated most of my life in and that I really love,” said Schumacher.
“To see what’s going on there, it’s not very great.”
“At the end of the day, if you think of Ferrari, the name is so important, it’s so big in this sport.” ITV
As the row between Formula One teams and the FIA rages on regarding the governing body’s insistence that costs be dramatically slashed for the 2010 season, Schumacher has backed the likes of Ferrari, BMW and Renault as they look to limit the scale of cost-cutting.
“You cannot expect drastic changes to be accepted by such important manufacturers,” the German said.
“Yes, you have a target, yes, you want to reduce costs, but you have to do it step by step, you cannot turn the world around in one day - that is impossible.” Sky Sports
“Considering what Ferrari means for Formula 1 you can’t seriously imagine that they can exist without each other,” Schumacher said.
“You can’t imagine Formula One without Ferrari or the other constructors which have participated in it for so long.”
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“You have to sit down together and find a compromise — and I believe that you can find and have to find this compromise.”
The ruling body FIA and eight teams organised in the union FOTA are at loggerheads over a budget cap of 60 million dollars the FIA plans to introduce from 2010 onwards.
Ferrari, BrawnGP, Toyota, BMW-Sauber, McLaren-Mercedes, Renault, Red Bull and Toro Rosso have only provisionally registered for 2010, demanding a gradual reduction of costs. The Times
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