Ross Brawn has suggested how Formula One can keep Ferrari in the midst of rumours that the Italian giants are unhappy at their current situation within the sport, now owned by Liberty Media.

Brawn, who previously worked as Ferrari technical boss, thinks F1 needs to find a "solution" that keeps Ferrari in the sport, but without giving them special treatment.

Now working within Liberty's hierarchy, Brawn will also have a big say on how the sport goes about doing that.

Brawn has confessed his concerns when speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, as per Planet F1: "They are very important and I carry them in my heart.

"I worked for them for ten years.

"Ferrari is an icon and I hope we will find a solution that will work for everyone.

"A great sport is great for everyone and we do not want Ferrari to leave."

When asked whether Ferrari deserve 'special treatment' though, he stated: "The sport should be fair for all participants. I think that includes Ferrari.

"Yes it's true that Ferrari has a veto right, but to my knowledge they never used it. Perhaps they waved it around."

Though, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne's recent threats to quit F1 allegedly stem from the new engine rules suggested by Brawn not being acceptable for them, it is widely believed that there are financial concerns too.

The argument can be made that The Prancing Horse does get exclusive treatment, though, with Ferrari getting 5% of the total revenues of the sport - which are about $1.8bn (£1.3bn) - before any money is distributed to anyone else.

This results, for example, in Ferrari being paid from all prize money streams a total of about $180m last year - about $10m more than Mercedes, who beat them to the team and drivers' World Championships in 2017. 

And, Ferrari are unlikely to give up their benefits without a fight.

There have also been fears about a major split in competitiveness in the sport due to the dominance of Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari over the last few years.

Mercedes are going for a record fifth consecutive World Championship in 2018, whilst Ferrari last won the constructors title in 2008.