Marchionne calls Ecclestone statements 'unadulterated hogwash'

Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne rebuked Bernie Ecclestone following the former F1 supremo's claims that the FIA had often catered to the Scuderia interests.

In an interview with Italy's La Repubblica, the 87-year-old former F1 supremo contended that the governing body had often helped Ferrari in the past.

"Helping Ferrari has always been the smartest thing to do. And it always has always been done through the technical regulations," said the 87-year-old.

Ecclestone also suggested that Mercedes had perhaps supplied technology to its arch rival to help it with its efforts to produce a competitive power unit in the hybrid era in order to provide itself with a credible rival to beat.

Mercedes' Toto Wolff laughed off the claims, saying it was a case of Ecclestone "throwing hand grenades".

Ferrari's Marchionne has now responded to Mr. E's comments which he believes are wide of the mark while also suggesting that Ecclestone should be thankful to Ferrari for its role in insuring F1's success over the years.

"I think it is what they call unadulterated hogwash," was Marchionne's reaction when asked about Ecclestone's comments by Motorsport.com.

"I think Bernie should be very thankful that Ferrari was at the table, and helped him turn the sport into as financially lucrative a position as it ultimately materialised for [his] personal use.

"God bless him. I like Bernie, a lot, but I think Ferrari has done as much [for F1]."

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