Brawn: We do not want to turn Formula 1 into Nascar

Marchionne has since threatened to pull the legendary team from Formula 1 should the ethos of the sport be tinkered with and warned Liberty Media that if F1 goes the way of Nascar then he will pull the plug.

Brawn insists this is not the intention, "We do not want to turn Formula 1 into Nascar. That would be a disaster because technical freedom to a certain extent is historically important for Formula 1."

A clampdown in spending or budget cap is one suggestion that has not gone down well with the big teams whose annual budgets flirt with the half-billion dollar mark.

Brawn explained, "We know that the top teams today spend twice as much on this technology as they did seven or eight years ago."

"When I was at Mercedes, we spent 70 percent of the money Red Bull used to become World Champion. We finished fourth. Like Force India today, but they spend 40 percent of what Mercedes invests today."

Brawn was part of the Ferrari's most successful spell in Formula 1 ever at the turn of this century, led by Jean Todt with Michael Schumacher in the driving seat they were invincible for from 2000 to 2004.

But Marchionne is clearly not one for sentiment and said of Brawn recently, "What I do not care about is when Ross Brawn comes along and announces that grid girls must go, how the engine and chassis should be…"

"He behaves like Moses reading the Ten Commandments, but then when I call the boss of Moses [Carey] he tells me that was Brawn’s personal opinion," added Marchionne.

Nevertheless aside from the personal connection, Brawn also knows that Ferrari is Formula 1's star attraction and without the Italian team the sport will be the poorer.

Thus it is no surprise that Brawn is keen to keep Ferrari on board, "The sport should be fair for all participants. I think so does Ferrari. Yes, it is true that Ferrari has a veto right. It is more of a historical relic. To my knowledge, they never used it. Maybe they waved it around."

"The sport should be fair for all participants. I think so does Ferrari. Yes, it is true that Ferrari has a veto right, but it's more of a historical relic. To my knowledge, they never used it, maybe they waved it around."

"Ferrari are very important and I still carry them in my heart. After all, I worked there for ten years. Ferrari is an icon and we hope that we will find a solution that will do justice for everyone."

"A great sport is great for everyone. We do not want Ferrari to leave Formula 1," insisted Brawn.