Carey responds to Ferrari's 'standardisation' fears

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Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey alleviated Ferrari's fears the sport could make widespread use of standard components in its future regulations.

Sergio Marchionne, the Italian manufacturer's chairman, criticized F1's eventual introduction of standardisation, saying last week that Ferrari would pull out of F1 rather than "play NASCAR globally"

Carey insisted that The Formula One Group's priority is to create closer competition among the teams, while preserving differentiation.

"Actually I don't think we have a differing view to Ferrari," said F1's chief executive officer.

"I'm not trying to be derogatory to NASCAR, but we don't plan to be NASCAR either.

"We don't want to standardise the cars. We don't want 20 identical cars going round the track, and the only difference is the driver.

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"F1 is unique, and it marries up competitive sport to state-of-the-art technology. We want the teams to have the ability to do what they do to create cars that are unique to them - unique engines to them, unique bodies to them.

"But we want to make success dependent on how well you spend your resources within some constraints, versus how much you spend. I think that's a healthier sport.

"And then those that can develop the technologies, develop the capabilities that are better than others, will enable them to succeed."

Carey underlines the need for closer competition, while providing every team on the grid with a chance of success, F1's ultimate goal, he says.

"We want teams to compete to win, but we want all the teams to have a chance," he added.

"It's never going to be equal, there are going to be favourites that evolve, but we want the teams to feel that they all have a fighting chance.

"Sports are built on the unexpected, and we do want a sport that can have the unexpected.

"If somebody wins every race every week, at the end of the day, the sport's going to suffer.

"You need competition, you need the unknown, you need great finishes, you need great dramas. We've got to create that.

"That attracts more funds, and realistically that benefits all the teams in the sport. Our first priority is to make this sport much better for us, and the existing teams in it."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.