PDA

View Full Version : Ecclestone to push for louder F1 engines



bigbadbrother
03-19-2014, 02:56 AM
Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to get to work on making Formula 1 loud again.

The F1 chief executive said he is “horrified” by the purring tones of the new turbo V6 era, arguing it will drive race promoters and spectators away.

Ecclestone was critical of the new engine formula long before the first 1.6 liter ‘power unit’ was fired up, but his latest comments follow Melbourne race organizers’ claim the low volume may even be a breach of contract.

“It’s not what we paid for. It’s going to change,” Australian Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker told Melbourne’s Age newspaper.

Walker said he has spoken to his friend Ecclestone already, while Ecclestone admitted he has been on the phone to FIA president Jean Todt.

“What I’ve said is that we need to see whether there is some way of making them sound like racing cars,” the 83-year-old Brit told the Telegraph.

“I don’t know whether it’s possible but we should investigate.

“I think let’s get the first few races out of the way and then maybe look to do something. We can’t wait all season. It could be too late by then,” said Ecclestone.

bigbadbrother
03-28-2014, 10:47 PM
SEPANG, Malaysia (AP) Formula One commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone has slightly softened his opposition to the new muted sounds of the sport's engines, but still believes more needs to be done to improve it for fans.

Ecclestone had always opposed the sport's switch to V6 turbo hybrid engines, brought in this season by the sport's governing body, the FIA, because it stripped away the high-pitched roar of the engine.

He attended Friday's practice session at the Malaysian Grand Prix and for the first time had the chance to hear it in the flesh.

Ecclestone said it is ''a little better than we thought,'' but added it ''sounds terrible on TV'' and that ''the problem is for all the people coming here and the whole atmosphere.''