Ferrari 'free to leave' F1, says Todt

Ferrari are free to leave Formula 1, says FIA president and former Scuderia chief Jean Todt. The head of motorsport's global governing body has also called on the Italian team's right to veto new rules and regulations in F1 to be scrapped.

The 2018 season shapes as a pivotal one in F1, with Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne issuing numerous threats to quit the sport over proposed changes to engine rules and budget caps.

No team has entered more grands prix than the famous squad, who have taken part in every season since the inaugural world championship in 1950.

Todt left the Scuderia for his role at the FIA in 2009 and does not want to see his former employers go.

"They may leave. And honestly, that is their choice," he said. "They are free.

"Definitely I hope they will not leave. But it can always happen. You have seen big competitors leaving. Coming back. But again. It is their choice.

"I feel that a company like Ferrari, racing should not be spending. It should be at least equal and even should be revenue - business revenue.

"At the moment I am sure now - it is about six to seven teams who are struggling in F1.

"It is not acceptable to have the pinnacle of motor sport where 60-70 percent of the field are struggling to survive."

Ferrari last utilised their long-standing veto to prove proposed engine spending caps were not in their best interests in 2015.

Todt believes the right should now be taken away, as he believes the reasons for its inception are outdated.

"The veto was at the time of Enzo Ferrari, and he was isolated in Maranello," explained Todt.

"That was the only team supplying engine and chassis against some other teams that were all powered by Ford.

"So at this time, it was decided that being away from what is called the silicon valley of motorsport, they needed to have a protection. That is the story about the veto.

"But personally, I feel now I am not in favour of that. Times have changed."

Though against Ferrari's right to veto, Todt says Ferrari do deserve special privileges, adding: "For me, is it normal that Leonardo DiCaprio gets more money than a TV series actor? Yes it is normal.

"That is life. The better you are, the more money you should get.

"It used to be they were getting more money with worse results. Now they get more money with among the best results, so it makes sense."