Ferrari in engine row quit threat

Ferrari are threatening to withdraw from Formula One if teams are forced to use standardised engines.

Motorsport's world governing body, the FIA, want to standardise engines and transmissions from 2010 through to 2013 as part of a cost-cutting drive in the sport.

However, the proposal by FIA president Max Mosley is being fought by the teams with Ferrari the first to speak out.

Following a board meeting, the team said: "We feel such a move would detract from the entire raison d'etre of a sport with which Ferrari has been involved since 1950, a raison d'etre based principally on competition and technological development.

"The board expressed the opinion that should these elements be diminished, Ferrari would re-evaluate continuing in the sport."

Toyota Motorsport president John Howett is also backing Ferrari. "I don't think any of the manufacturers want a homogenised engine," he said.

It is understood the sport's other four manufacturers - Mercedes, Honda, Renault and BMW are against the plans, too. However, the FIA appear intent on pressing ahead as they confirmed the tender process for bids to build the engines ends a week on Friday.

The Formula One Teams' Association will hold another meeting to discuss cost-cutting while they are in Sao Paulo this week for the Brazilian Grand Prix, the final race of the season.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa lies seven points behind Lewis Hamilton in the quest to be world champion.