Ecclestone says Ferrari get special treatment

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at criticism from Ferrari [Images] president Luca di Montezemolo by detailing how much more money the Italian team receive from the sport than their rivals.

"Ferrari get so much more money than everyone else," the 78-year-old billionaire told Saturday's edition of the Times newspaper.

"They know exactly what they get, they are not that stupid, although they are not that bright, either. They get about $80 million more," added the Briton.

"When they win the constructors' championship, which they did this year, they got $80 million more than if McLaren had won it."

Ferrari are the sport's most glamorous and successful team, the only ones still in Formula One who were also present at the outset of the world championship in 1950.

It has never been a secret that the Maranello team receive a greater share of the sport's revenues in recognition of their special importance but a figure has not previously been revealed.

Ecclestone's remarks followed comments by Di Montezemolo in which the Italian said Formula One was not run in a normal, transparent manner, did not need a dictator and that teams should get a greater share of the revenues.

"The only thing he has not mentioned is the extra money Ferrari get above all the other teams and all the extra things Ferrari have had for years -- the `general help' they are considered to have had in Formula One," said Ecclestone.

The Briton added that Ferrari benefited from agreeing a new deal with him after breaking ranks with the other manufacturers in 2003 when they were threatening a breakaway series.

"They were the only team that broke ranks with the other manufacturers -- why did they break ranks?" he said. "That's where the $80 million comes in."

Ecclestone suggested Ferrari might like to share some of the money with the other teams rather than seeking more from him.

"What he (Montezemolo) should do, rather than asking for money, with all the extra money Ferrari gets, he should share all that amongst the teams," he said.

© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.