Adapted from GMM
Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he is "at loggerheads" with FIA president Jean Todt about F1's engine formula for 2013.
Jean Todt has announced new 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbo regulations, but F1 chief executive Ecclestone on Thursday admitted he fears it will rob the sport of one of its two most important factors.
According to Australian news agency AAP, he said one crucial factor "is Ferrari and second is the noise" of the big normally-aspirated engines.
The 80-year-old said he is so worried that he fears television broadcasters will stop buying the rights to formula one.
"I'm anti, anti, anti, anti moving into this small turbo four cylinder formula," said Bernie Ecclestone.
"We don't need it and if it's so important it's the sort of thing that should be in saloon car racing. The rest of it is basically PR -- it's nothing in the world to do with formula one. These changes are going to be terribly costly to the sport. I'm sure the promoters will lose a big audience and I'm quite sure we'll lose TV," he added.
A report in Spain's El Mundo Deportivo said the Briton also wants to drop the limit for the maximum number of teams from 13 to 10 for the new 2013 Concorde agreement.
Bernie Ecclestone thinks ten is a better number to financially look after the teams and ensure there are enough good sponsors to go around.
The F1 chief executive was a staunch critic of the sport's three new stragglers last year, but he has since said Team Lotus is a worthy competitor.
"I'm very happy that they are back. They will get on their feet and then sponsors will be attracted to them and we'll see them grow. Frank Williams was like that years ago," Ecclestone told the BBC.
As for Virgin and HRT, when asked how the 2011 season will be for them, he answered simply: "Difficult. Twelve teams is too many. Ten is enough," added Bernie Ecclestone.
Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he is "at loggerheads" with FIA president Jean Todt about F1's engine formula for 2013.
Jean Todt has announced new 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbo regulations, but F1 chief executive Ecclestone on Thursday admitted he fears it will rob the sport of one of its two most important factors.
According to Australian news agency AAP, he said one crucial factor "is Ferrari and second is the noise" of the big normally-aspirated engines.
The 80-year-old said he is so worried that he fears television broadcasters will stop buying the rights to formula one.
"I'm anti, anti, anti, anti moving into this small turbo four cylinder formula," said Bernie Ecclestone.
"We don't need it and if it's so important it's the sort of thing that should be in saloon car racing. The rest of it is basically PR -- it's nothing in the world to do with formula one. These changes are going to be terribly costly to the sport. I'm sure the promoters will lose a big audience and I'm quite sure we'll lose TV," he added.
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| Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone |
A report in Spain's El Mundo Deportivo said the Briton also wants to drop the limit for the maximum number of teams from 13 to 10 for the new 2013 Concorde agreement.
Bernie Ecclestone thinks ten is a better number to financially look after the teams and ensure there are enough good sponsors to go around.
The F1 chief executive was a staunch critic of the sport's three new stragglers last year, but he has since said Team Lotus is a worthy competitor.
"I'm very happy that they are back. They will get on their feet and then sponsors will be attracted to them and we'll see them grow. Frank Williams was like that years ago," Ecclestone told the BBC.
As for Virgin and HRT, when asked how the 2011 season will be for them, he answered simply: "Difficult. Twelve teams is too many. Ten is enough," added Bernie Ecclestone.