Ecclestone was quoted in an Italian newspaper claiming that Ferrari had been helped with its engine by rival Mercedes and that it was always in the FIA's interest to keep Ferrari competitive.

"It is also certain that with the friendly situation between the two teams [Mercedes and Ferrari], the best thing for Stuttgart in 2017 was to make sure that a) Red Bull did not have the most powerful engines and b) Ferrari was competitive enough to be a credible rival to beat," said Ecclestone.

"[The FIA] Helping Ferrari has always been the smartest thing to do. And it always has always been done through the technical regulations."

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said it was a case of Ecclestone "throwing hand grenades," and Renault's Cyril Abiteboul also played down the idea of Ferrari being helped.

Marchionne has now responded to Ecclestone's claims, and says the former F1 boss should be thankful to Ferrari for aiding his time in charge of the championship.

"I think it is what they call unadulterated hogwash," when asked about Ecclestone's comments by Motorsport.com.

"I think Bernie should be very thankful that Ferrari was at the table, and helped him turn the sport into as financially lucrative a position as it ultimately materialised for [his] personal use.

"God bless him. I like Bernie, a lot, but I think Ferrari has done as much [for F1]."