There has been a bit of discussion recently regarding who knew about a secret veto power that Ferrari has.
After some research, it seems almost everybody knew. The following are just a few of the references, and most of them were widely discussed back and forth between many people, even spilling over to multiple threads.
October 2008, posting by GrndLkNatv to Racing Comments
Ferrari have absolute veto over all changes agreed by the other teams, even if the other teams agree unanimously.
May 2008, posting by Dick_Darstadly to Racing Comments
The origin of Ferrari's position on the WMC goes back to March 2006 during the 'negotiations' of the Concorde Agreement when Ferrari's support was rumoured to be bought for $100 million and a veto on any regulatory issues:
December 2007, posting by Dick_Darstadly to Racing Comments quoting the timesonline (So, yes they knew about it too)
Ferrari’s loyalty was particularly controversial in that it was secured with the carrot of $100 million and a veto on any rule changes.
January 2006, posting by peter to rec.autos.sport.f1
Not only did FIA consult Ferrari extensively on the 2005 tyre regulation changes but Ferrari also
have the "right of veto" to any regulation changes built into their version of the " Concorde Agreement".
December 2005, posting by wj_gibson to Racing Comments
Especially since rumour has it that Ferrari have been offered very favourable terms (i.e. a veto over rule changes) not on offer to the others.
November 2005, posting to rec.autos.sport.f1 quoting a news item
The GPMA and most of the teams -- with the exception of Ferrari -- have called for more financial transparency
in the sport, and want the power of the world governing body -- the FIA -- limited.
The breakaway group wants appeals taken to the independent, Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport,
rather than the FIA's own court. It also asked that special veto rules -- granted only to Ferrari -- be rescinded.
November 2005, posting by MrSlow to Racing Comments
It seems likely that Ferrari also have the right to veto rule changes (Luca's "everyrhing has to go through Maranello first")
November 2005, posting by angst to Racing Comments
Another reason might be that Ferrari want to ensure that they have additional rights, maybe of veto, over any regualtion changes. That would certainly fit di Montezemelo's statement. I'll repeat that statement again. It's pretty unequivocal -
“Nobody may forget that Ferrari, for Formula 1, is important. Whatever happens in F1, if someone wants to change something or has new ideas, then he must come to Maranello.”
August 2005, posting by karlth to Racing Comments
That would explain why the Ferrari's 2008 veto rights as described by The Times: "right of veto in key discussions over any future changes" are different and more powerful.
August 2005, posting by karlth to Racing Comments
A quote from everyone's favourite team owner:
"My understanding is that Ferrari have negotiated in their signing of the new Concorde an absolute veto... just like the UN they can veto any decision made by the rest of the teams - on their own."
Paul Stoddart
August 2005, posting by karlth to Racing Comments, quoting The Times
But it was not just the issue of money that hardened the stance of the “Group of Nine”: they discovered that the Italians have also been promised the right of veto in key discussions over any future changes to the regulations."
May 2005, posting by riffola to Racing Comments quoting Paul Stoddart
"My understanding is that Ferrari has negotiated in their signing of the new Concorde an absolute veto...just like the U.N. they can veto any decision made by the rest of the teams - on their own," said Stoddart. "Well, what good's that going to do?"
February 2005, posting by pluto to Racing Comments
"The championship is fixed in favour of Ferrari and therefore it is not sport"
Shoichi Tanaka president of Honda Racing Development Ltd
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But it was not just the issue of money that hardened the stance of the “Group of Nine”: they discovered that the Italians have also been promised the right of veto in key discussions over any future changes to the regulations.