'F1 needs Ferrari more than Ferrari needs F1'

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has warned Liberty Media against angering Ferrari, saying Formula 1 needs the Scuderia to remain in the sport. Wolff also believes that F1's new owners should show the same "passion" as Bernie Ecclestone in order to win teams and fans over.

Liberty completed a $4.4billion takeover of F1 in January last year, vowing to "enhance the racing experience and add new dimensions to the sport".

With a new streaming service in the pipeline and great social-media exposure, Liberty have certainly added to the spectacle around F1, although proposed changes to the technical side of the sport have angered the biggest teams.

Ferrari have issued a threat to quit the sport over proposed changes to engine regulations and budget caps, with CEO Sergio Marchionne saying the Scuderia could be ready to withdraw as soon as the end of this year,

The Silver Arrows and Scuderia have grown increasingly close in recent months over their determination to stop Liberty's proposed changes, with Wolff's latest comments serving to again display that Mercedes are firmly behind their on-track rivals.

"Don't provoke Sergio Marchionne," said Wolff. "I think that F1 needs Ferrari more than Ferrari needs F1.

"And he has an understanding and a vision of what the DNA in F1 needs to represent for Ferrari, and as he is a no nonsense guy.

"If he doesn't see the value for his brand he is going to call it a day. Very easy. With no regret. So, you better not mess with him."

Ecclestone has lost decision-making powers since he was appointed chairman emeritus as part of Liberty's takeover, although his presence remains keenly felt across the sport.

The former supremo remained firmly entrenched in the political side of F1 until the takeover and Wolff believes retaining some of Ecclestone's spirit could help Liberty.

"We definitely have to work together and achieve synergies," Wolff told Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

"The former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was so brilliant in his best days, because he was the only one who managed to land big deals.

"If Bernie went to a government and said that he was dreaming of a Singapore Grand Prix, that's what happened.

"This has to do with the passion and authenticity of his person. The current management has to show that it can do that too."