Breakaway series could happen, warns Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned a rival series away from Formula 1 could emerge if the future of the sport is not properly resolved.

Ferrari are playing hard-ball with Liberty as discussions over how the Formula 1 landscape should look post-2020 and Wolff has said that they need to be taken seriously.

“The perspective of doing something else is a realistic one, and it could happen if we don’t achieve to align our vision,” Wolff told reporters.

“Marchionne has a clear vision of what Formula One should represent for Ferrari, which is a purist sport that isn’t a shopping channel.

"I would strongly encourage all of the sport’s stakeholders not to try and provoke him. 

“I agree with most of the things Sergio says because Formula One has a certain DNA and it is a sport that needs to stick to its roots. 

“So, don’t mess with Sergio Marchionne. Formula One needs Ferrari much more than Ferrari needs Formula One.”