Brawn on Ferrari: Every partnership 'has its limits'

Formula One's sporting boss Ross Brawn has claimed that he and other F1 chiefs want Ferrari to remain in the sport despite the Scuderia's threats to leave, but insisted that they would not bow down to any demands without compromise and that 'every partnership has its limits'.

Since Liberty Media took over control of Formula One they have proposed significant changes to the sport, many of which have polarised opinions from F1 figures and fans.

The main upcoming alteration is the introduction of a new limit of three engines per season for each team, with more of a focus being put on vehicle reliability rather than speed. Ferrari in particular have taken exception to this and have actually threatened to leave Formula One altogether if the changes go through in their current format.

Brawn accepts that there will be disagreements with teams as changes go through teething problems, but would not say F1 would completely accept the demands of the Scuderia.

"I was pretty surprised by these reactions," he told Auto Bild, also referring to Mercedes' reaction as well as Ferrari's.

"I was in some of the meetings, and I thought the direction was clear. Everyone agreed unanimously on the new goals that the engines should achieve, and we based the new rules on that.

"It's like a restaurant where some like the appetiser but not the main course, and vice versa," said Brawn.

"That's why there are new discussions taking place now. If the manufacturers offer better solutions we are open, but staying with the current power units is not an option."

Brawn went on to directly address Ferrari's threat to leave, and said that there can be a solution found which will appeal to everyone.

"Of course we do not want to lose Ferrari. Ferrari benefits from Formula 1 and Formula 1 benefits from Ferrari. But every partnership has limits.

"So it's a matter of what Ferrari can accept, and what we can accept. We want to find solutions that keep everyone in formula one, and above all we don't want to lose any iconic teams.

"They are an important part of Formula 1 and we must respect and listen to them," Brawn added.