As Brexit gets ever messier, with the country increasingly divided and the threat of the Prime Minister being sent to jail, so too does Formula One's bid to re-shape the sport by means of the 2021 rules overhaul.

While the smaller teams have long argued for the changes, especially those related to the prize money and spending, the bigger teams, certainly in terms of the technical aspect, have increasingly argued to leave as is.

With Ferrari making clear it is against the move towards more standardised parts, thereby opening the door for open-source, Mercedes insists that at a time engine performance is converging it would be wholly wrong to start making changes.

Ironically, like Brexit, the 2021 rules package has an October deadline, however, in terms of Formula One, Ferrari has an ace up its sleeve, its infamous power of veto, which, according to the prospectus for the planned flotation of F1 on the Singapore stock market in 2012, gives the Italian manufacturer the right to "veto any change to the regulations already announced or introduced (subject to certain exceptions)."

Claiming that it would be a "shame" to use veto, Ferrari boss, Mattia Binotto nevertheless admits that it remains an option.

"We have got the veto right and it would be a shame to use it," said the Italian. "I don't think that's the intention, I don't think that's what we are looking for.

"More important is to be very constructive," he continued. "We've still got a month's time to address the fundamentals by the end of October. If the regulations will not be fully satisfactory by that time I don't think it will be a drama because we still have time to address and improve them."

Other than believing that standardised parts compromise the sport's DNA, like a number of teams, Ferrari claims that the move, combined with the proposed budget cap is the sport essentially telling the teams how much money they can spend and what they can spend it on.

"There are a few things that are important for us," said Binotto, "first the degree of freedom on development, especially with the aerodynamic regulations, which we believe is too prescriptive. And the degree of freedom on other parts of the car where some prescription has been set.

"I think these are the key points and I think there is still room for collaboration and making a different choice compared to what has been achieved so far.

"Again, we're more focused on trying to collaborate and address what we believe is fundamental rather than say 'we've got the veto right'."

Indeed, hopeful that Ferrari can continue to have its right of veto beyond 2020, in May, Binotto said it was good for the sport.

"The veto right is something important for Ferrari," he said, "but I believe it's something important for F1 overall as well because somehow it's not only protecting us but it's protecting all the teams maybe against some decisions which could be against the spirit or the interest of the teams themselves, something that we are starting discussing with both the FIA and F1.

"I think we are doing well in that respect," he added, "and hopefully we can keep the same rights."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by imejl99, 07/10/2019 12:38

"Just in time when F1 looks like it could be more interesting than ever with 3 (4?) teams racing on pretty equal terms next year, maybe it would be a "shame" NOT to use veto?"

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2. Posted by aroutis, 07/10/2019 8:08

"People that don't know, or understand , why Ferrari has been granted the veto (not vito) power, should go ahead, google and research as to why Ferrari has the veto power in the first place. I could explain this, but I don't see why I should do that.
Actually, truth being told, it really is a good thing for the sport that Ferrari holds this card , since for better or worse this team is the one team that has been a constant for this sport. For better or worse, it's the most powerful brand of the sport, it's the one team that fans want to see either win or lose, and there is no coincidence that wherever the F1 circus goes, the grandstands are always filled with red flags.
Ferrari is the most vested team in what we call F1. Other teams go, stay, they've been there since for ever.
Whatever team people support, this is undeniable. "

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3. Posted by BillH, 06/10/2019 17:23

"This all brings back memories of 2006 after the rival series was mooted by all but Williams and a certain former commercial rights holder reminded Ferrari that they had been "bought" in 2003 with a Vito. Ferrari then stepped back from the break away.
Why Ferrari or any other team would have a Vito over the regulations of the way F1 is regulated will be something the US owners of F1 will want removed as soon as they can as it goes against the owners philosophy of how the sport should be evened out.
It makes me wonder what the other teams in F1 at the time agreed to in order for Ferrari to get such a Vito.
I mean, why would they hand a competitor so much sway over everything else?
Putting this in to another context it would be like the NZRFU having the ability to reject anything that World Rugby puts forward to change how Rugby is played or Manchester United having the same power in EPL."

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4. Posted by Editor, 06/10/2019 9:35

"@ Joop deBruin

She wrote 1/1024th of the article"

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5. Posted by Joop deBruin, 06/10/2019 2:35

"Since when did Fauxcahontas/Elizabeth Warren start writing for Pitpass?"

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6. Posted by nonickname, 05/10/2019 18:15 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 05/10/2019 21:58)

"F1 doe not need Ferrari ,or any one team.
If they use the veto simply bar them from F1. "

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7. Posted by alvarezh3, 05/10/2019 18:10

"Mr. Binotto, easy to evade being ashamed.....just don't use it!

The other teams don't have Ferrari's veto privilege, yet they have been winning races and championships for years since the team you lead got it's veto power.

Only you and your company president will want us, the FIA and FOM to believe that the use of your veto power will be used for the benefit of the teamS and or the sport in general.

Very talented brains used to design F1 machines, very poor judging abilities yo think the rest of those involved on the sport (fans, series owners and series commercial operators) suck their thumbs."

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A "shame" to use veto says Binotto

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