Clearly stoking up the fire, Ferrari has called on its two drivers to share their thoughts following yesterday's announcement that the Italian team will not contest the 2010 World Championship if the FIA goes ahead with its plan for a two-tier championship.

"I understand the motivation, why the Company got to this point," says Massa. "The idea of having a Championship with two velocities, with cars, which for example are allowed to have flexible wings or an engine without a rev limiter, is absurd. We've already seen this year that the rules' uncertainty not only led to a lot of confusion for us involved, but mainly for the fans. Imagine what might happen with what has been set up for 2010.

"For a driver racing a Ferrari in Formula 1 is a dream and I made mine come true," he continues. "Since I was a child Ferrari has been the synonym for racing for me; that's why I'm convinced that even if the Scuderia is forced to leave Formula 1, there will be other competitions, where it will be possible to admire the Reds on the track."

"It's difficult to think of a Formula 1 without Ferrari," adds Kimi Raikkonen. "When I drove for McLaren the Scuderia from Maranello was the benchmark, the competitor you had to be compared with. Since I arrived here I understood that it is much more than just a team, it's a legend, perpetuated via its road and racing cars.

"I always had the passion for racing with everything with an engine and I always thought of Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motor sports, in terms of competition and technology. Obviously if there really were rules like the ones set by FIA, it would be difficult to imagine a Formula 1 we had until today.

"I can't imagine drivers racing each other on the track with cars built according to different rules," adds the Finn, "that wouldn't be good for the sport itself or for the fans. If that should happen, it would be too bad and I understand that a company like Ferrari is thinking about racing somewhere else."

No doubt, once they've got over the shock and disappointment, Felipe and Kimi - or glum and glummer as you can see here - will be on the phone to Ross Brawn, or maybe Christian Horner.