Marchionne: If F1 becomes like Nascar then Ferrari will leave

It is no secret that Marchionne intends to pull Ferrari from Formula 1 if the future shifts away from the ethos of the sport as he perceives it.

At the company's annual general meeting in Amsterdam on Friday, the Ferrari big boss again repeated his threat, "If Formula 1 becomes more of a spectacle than a sport, if we go in the direction of NASCAR racing, then Ferrari will leave."

"If there are any proposals that distort F1, I think Ferrari will pull out, though we are working with Liberty Media to find acceptable solutions."

The Bahrain presentation should evolve into a proper set of rules and regulations while outlining the new payment structures to reward teams for competing at the highest level.

May is supposedly earmarked for the revelation of the engine rules to come into effect at the start of the 2021 season.

Marchionne acknowledged, "We had a proposal from Liberty ten days ago, we expect to know the details and then we will make choices in the interest of Ferrari. We could look for alternative solutions, it's not a threat, but it does not mean we stop shopping."

"Some people want a less technological approach, but we and Mercedes have the will to maintain a high standard," added Marchionne, pinpointing the root of the differences between the rule makers and the F1's two biggest teams.

He also said that he "limited interest" in Formula E for Ferrari, but has not ruled out an Indycar foray.

To level the playing field FOM are hedging their bets on a cost cap for teams to operate within. A budget of $150-million is a figure that has been bandied about, but already Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff has suggested that $250-million limit is more acceptable.

Although some media outlets are reporting that FOM will put a "take it or leave it" ultimatum on the table when next the chieftains meet, F1 motorsport chief Ross Brawn insisted that nothing was cast in stone.

The next move lies with Brawn and FOM who need to finalise engine regulations and look to put in place the eighth edition of the Concorde Agreement.