In the wake of his team's announcement that it will not contest the 2010 Formula One World Championship unless the FIA sits down with the teams and re-thinks its plans for a two-tier series, Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo says he is confident that fans will follow the team where ever it goes in motor sport.

On its website, the Maranello outfit claims to have "received numerous messages from its fans from all over the world" in support of yesterday's announcement by the company's Administrative Board, and, in what will be seen as a rallying call to the faithful, di Montezemolo addresses the fans...

"I want to thank you personally for the numerous messages of support we received from all over the world over the last hours on our website and via email," he writes "It is important to know that we can count on the support of our fans all over the world and that our fans completely share the motivations, which brought us to take such a decision. If we were forced to leave the Championship we were part of over the last 60 years of our history and where we set all the records in terms of victories, it is because they want to change the nature of its founding values.

"If it really was like that, then I have to say that our cars will race in other competitions, where - and I am absolutely convinced about that - they will find the enthusiasm and the passion of millions of fans, following us in every corner of the world. Racing is part of Ferrari's DNA and this is something that will never change."

Elsewhere on its site, the Italian team lists its numerous F1 titles, both as a constructor and entrant.

In a clear bid to fan the flames of passion, the article ends with the cry, "Who wants this marvellous story to end?"

One can almost hear Max groaning.