Ferrari fans are behind Ferrari in its decision not to take part in the 2010 Formula One championship if proposed rule changes go into effect, Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said on Wednesday.
Ferrari's board on Tuesday confirmed its opposition to certain rule changes proposed by the international racing federation FIA, in particular a provision allowing teams greater technical leeway if they respect a budget cap.
According to Ferrari, this would create a double standard when what the sport needed were ''the same rules for everyone''.
If FIA does not modify this aspect of its reforms, Ferrari said it would not sign up its cars for the 2010 season.
Renault on Wednesday followed Ferrari's example and said it would also keep its cars out of Formula 1 next year if the budget cap provisions remained.
Toyota and Red Bull have indicated that they, too, are ready to drop out.
All these teams have stressed that they are not opposed to cutting costs, the official justification for the cap, but wanted the same rules in regard to technical specifications and testing time.
In a message to fans posted on the Ferrari website, Montezemolo said ''I want to thank you personally for the numerous messages of support we received from all over the world on our website and via email. It is important to know that we can count on the support of our fans and that our fans completely share the motivations, which brought us to take such a decision''.
Montezemolo added that if Ferrari is not part of Formula 1 next year, ''then our cars will race in other competitions, where - and I am absolutely convinced about this - they will find the enthusiasm and the passion of millions of fans, following us in every corner of the world''.
''Racing is part of Ferrari's DNA and this is something that will never change,'' he concluded.
Former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello, who is now with the BrawnGP team which is leading the championship in part because of its technological advantage, has thrown his support behind his former team.
''The idea that there can be a double standard in the championship, with some cars, for example, allowed to have more powerful engines or an aerodynamic advantage, is absurd,'' Massa said.
''Already this year confusion over the rules has created problems not only for the teams but above all for fans. One can only imagine what would happen if the proposed changes go into effect in 2010,'' he added.
BrawnGP has won four out of five races this season, apparently thanks to having an edge with it double-decker rear diffuser which gave it greater down force and stability.
Ferrari and some other teams questioned its legality but FIA ruled, after two races had already been held, that the diffuser respected regulations.
This year has also seen some teams suffer problems with an optional new power-boosting system, KERS, which is not a standard device.
KERS is an acronym for 'kinetic energy recovery system' and stores energy produced from braking to be used when needed, for example when pulling out of a corner.
The dispute over the budget cap provision is seen by many as a power struggle between FIA chief Max Mosley and Montezemolo, who is also chairman of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) which represents the teams in negotiations with FIA and Bernie Ecclestone, head of the Formula One Group which controls the sport's commercial side.
Mosley is said to be pushing for a two-tier system with the budget cap in order to attract more smaller teams to Formula 1.
Montezemolo, who is also chairman of Ferrari's parent company Fiat, represents the interests of manufacturers, which also include BMW and Mercedes, who use racing as a means to test innovative technology they have invested in.
Ecclestone has said he cannot conceive of Formula 1 without Ferrari and voiced optimism that a compromise will be found.
The deadline for Formula 1 teams to sign up for next season is in two weeks and before then FOTA and FIA are scheduled to meet.
