Ferrari has ran out of patience

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has stated that Ferrari has ran out of patience in regards to current F1 regulations and has attacked F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Tensions between the two grew in the days following the Brazilian Grand Prix when Ferrari seeked to clarify the rules regarding Sebastian Vettel's overtaking manoeuvre on Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne which on first viewing looked to be made under a yellow flag [which is illegal].

On closer inspection however a trackside marshal could be seen waving a green flag, which of course meant that the move was legal.

Ferrari wrote to the FIA to clarify the rules, while F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone slammed Ferrari's actions saying: 'It's a complete joke. What Ferrari are saying in that letter is wrong. I don't think there needs to be any action taken. It's completely and utterly wrong.'

Ecclestone was of course proved right just days later, but the comments appear to have riled Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, who has taken the opportunity to once again raise Ferrari's concerns over regulations in Formula One.

In particular Ferrari are and have always been against the ban on in season testing. The rule was brought in to help lower costs for teams, but Ferrari see this as an infringement on their position as constructors.

Ferrari want to be able to develop technology on their Formula One cars which would then filter through to their road cars, like many developments in technology and safety have over the years.

But Ferrari believe that the current F1 regulations prevent this from happening.

"our patience has run out so someone needs to think about whether they want Formula 1 still to have companies that invest and consider it the most advanced research bench for its own cars - as Ferrari has always done since 1950.

'We are constructors, not sponsors: I'm no longer happy that we can't do testing on tarmac and that you can't give any chance for young drivers to emerge - since some people have used the expression 'It's a joke' in recent days, I would like to say that this is the real 'joke'.' he told Sky Sports.

The final comment of course was in reference to Bernie Ecclestone calling Ferrari's actions in the aftermath of the Vettel controversy a joke. But di Montezemolo was not done there as he added: 'Yes, I'm referring to one of Ecclestone's phrases: my father always taught me that you have to have respect your elders, above all when they reach the point that they can no longer control their words, So I will stop there. Certainly, old age is often incompatible with certain roles and responsibilities.'

Not one to take criticism lying down Ecclestone was quick to react in an interview with the BBC and he joked: 'The one thing he is correct about is my age - there is no doubt about that.

'I can't do anything about that. I'm 82 years old and that's how it is.'

'He says he doesn't remember what he says very often. Luca is not as old as me. I'm sure in his case it is nothing to do with his age because he's always been the same. At least he's consistent. God knows what's going to happen when he's 82.