Throughout his time in office Todt has attempted to reduce teams’ spending by trying to introduce a cost cap, seek cuts via the regulations, and to introduce standardised parts, but all to no avail.

After Ferrari recently vetoed plans for a maximum price a manufacturer can charge a customer for a power unit, Todt is now looking to push through his bid for a cut-price, €6-7million independent engine from 2017.

Fernley, who has long argued and battled for cost cuts, can perfectly understand Todt’s ambition in this instance as he continues to take the fight to the big teams.

“For two years we have been working with the FIA to desperately try and get some cost control,” Fernley told Autosport.

“We have also been working desperately with the commercial rights holder [Bernie Ecclestone] to get a better distribution of the revenues.

“What you are seeing, in terms of Jean going for the engine, is born out of frustration that nobody is prepared to listen.

“You sit in these press conferences and everybody says they are eager to support cost controls, but which ones have they supported? That’s where the problem comes.

“It needs everybody to sit down and get the balance right because we are not balanced enough in terms of what we are doing.”

While Todt has often been much maligned for not being as forthright and bullish as his predecessor Max Mosley, and for trying to be too democratic and please everyone, Fernley feels the Frenchman deserves some respect in this instance.

If Todt can get his proposal through the F1 Commission, in which he requires considerable support from other parties, a tender process will follow that will allow an independent engine supplier to produce a system to go up against the current 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged hybrids.

“Credit to the guy,” added Fernley.

“It’s quite important they go through the tender process because within that other things might come up that haven’t been thought of.

“Is it a good thing to have an independent engine supplier in Formula 1? It’s just as important to have that as it is to preserve independent racing teams.

“That is the failsafe of Formula 1.”