No sooner had Red Bull boss Christian Horner pointed to Alfa Romeo's return to F1 as proof that Sergio Marchionne's threat to take Ferrari out of the sport is bluff, than the Fiat Chrysler boss reiterated the threat.

"They come under the same management as Sergio so I can't believe he'd have brought Alfa Romeo in for Ferrari to be leaving in a couple of years," Horner told Reuters. "I think it demonstrates that Formula One is obviously working and creating the recognition, otherwise the group wouldn't have brought the Alfa brand into Formula One."

Not so, according to Marchionne.

"The dialogue has started and will continue to evolve," Marchionne told reporters at the press conference to publicly reveal Alfa Romeo Sauber's drivers and proposed livery for 2018.

"We have time until 2020 to find a solution which benefits Ferrari," he continued. "The threat of Ferrari leaving Formula One is serious. The agreement with Sauber expires in 2020-2021, right when Ferrari could leave.

"We have to find a solution which is good for the sport but we also have to be clear on the things we can't back down on," he insisted.

Ferrari's initial threat was based on the proposals for the new engine formula in 2018, the Italian manufacturer particularly concerned at the move towards more standard parts, a move it claims compromises the purity of the sport.

However, the bigger issue, of money, be it the more equal distribution of the prize pot or the doing away of bonuses, has yet to come.

Meanwhile, how ironic that the boss of a team that regularly threatens to quit the sport unless it gets its own way, is dismissing a similar threat from a rival.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Red5, 05/12/2017 20:44

"The more he repeats the "threat", the less convincing it sounds...."

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2. Posted by mickl, 04/12/2017 18:24

"Ferrari won't quit as they'll have to pay for actual advertising then rather than effectively being paid to go racing and having their R&D being funded by the organisers.

TBH I think the WCC is a worthless championship in that the top teams are basically saying they aren't able to win unless given a financial leg up by the organisers. Fair enough if they raise the money from sponsors or sales/revenures/corporate coffers. Why not just give them a 5 second head start on the grid at every race. Imagine Manchester Utd/City or Chelsea, being given a 1 goal lead at the start of every game by the FA.

Liberty can't back down too much as it would set a precedent and lose them all credibility. They'll also be saying Bernie was right all along and that the rules have been biased towards Ferrari. Maybe that will lead teams to go screw you and leave."

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3. Posted by f1khun, 04/12/2017 1:26

"Ferrari won't quit.

I think that they will partly get what they want. However Liberty has to draw firm lines which should not be stepped on. Bernie made backroom deals, Liberty can't or won't do that. But Ferrari wants to be treated special, like an Italian Diva. They will find a way, a compromise.

Rememebr, rules always change: You cannot change F1 at the end of 2020. You can work towards it but it'll always - just like life itself - be in motion: new developments will come, old habits will die (or will be forbidden).

Will Ferrari quit? Likely NOT. But they Do have to WIN the WDC if they want to keep the value for them in F1. If they cannot win then F1 looses value to them.
Bernie says they (FIA-FOM) rigged F1 to benefit Ferrari. Maybe it's true. Liberty won't do that, but Sergio just needs to copy the Mercedes way and they'll win.

The problem is (if you ask me): I believe that Vettel isn't good enough any more. He is mentally not as sharp any more. They (Ferrari) would need someone else to win. And Vettel just signed till the end of 2020...

So will they leave? They will hide their shame and blame in arrogance if they quit. But whatever they find as a reason to quit: Ferrari unable to win the WDC is THEIR problem.

And yes, I think Sergio can fix all of it. The question is: Can Vettel deliver for them......?"

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4. Posted by Batman, 03/12/2017 19:28

"Bluffing is the second rule of any technocratic sweet game, surrounded by honey badger's. Ferrero Rocher, what you give, you will receive!"

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5. Posted by ryanhellyer, 03/12/2017 12:19

"I think everyone should just laugh at the threats from Red Bull and Ferrari to quit. They're like spoilt children throwing a temper tantrum."

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6. Posted by Abies, 03/12/2017 11:27

"Let them go !!!! All Liberty has to do is get teams like Brabham & Lotus back (with good sustainable support).

Then you have Mclaren, Williams and all the good current racing guys there with good close racing.

Ferrari would soon be forgotten and regret their move to leave"

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Marchionne reiterates quit threat

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