Confrontation between Ferrari and Liberty 'inevitable' - Zak Brown

McLaren boss Zak Brown has claimed that Ferrari and Liberty Media are on a collision course this season and that a major confrontation between the constructor team and the owners of Formula One is 'inevitable' due to their contrasting views on the future of the sport.

The American owners of F1 are aiming to level the playing field among the constructor teams by standardising engines and capping budgets.

Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne has continually threatened to pull the Prancing Horse out of the sport altogether if a compromise cannot be reached with Liberty Media with regards to their vision of the future.

Brown thinks everyone should get prepared for a major confrontation between the team and the owners.

"A confrontation between Ferrari and Liberty is inevitable," the McLaren boss told AS.

"Ferrari wants to protect the money they receive, because they receive a disproportionate amount. We all recognise that Ferrari as a team has added more value to the sport than anyone and should be rewarded accordingly.

"But I think it is very unbalanced, and that Liberty only wants and has to do the best for the sport."

Brown appears to be more open-minded about potential changes by Liberty Media, and has urged teams and fans alike to show patience with Liberty Media.

"I know from my McLaren experience, I’m on top of things now, but it takes you a year minimum to get on top of things and it’s the same for them," he continued.

"F1 is a fast-moving, impatient and unforgiving sport but the teams can’t rely solely on Liberty and F1 to solve all the problems.

"Yes, there are several challenges but the key is to turn these into opportunities."