Bernie Ecclestone admitted on Friday that F1's new-generation cars are actually louder than he first thought. The F1 chief executive did not attend any of the pre-season tests or the season opening Australian grand prix, where a big controversy about the milder tones of the turbo V6 engines kicked off. "It sounds terrible on the TV," Ecclestone told Britain's Sky Sports in the Sepang pitlane during the second practice session on Friday.
He was standing with Ong Beng Seng, the Singaporean magnate who is a leading figure in the city-state's highly-popular night race. "Mr Ong was complaining about the noise," Ecclestone revealed, referring to the Singapore grand prix chief. "We were just saying, I think it's a little louder than we thought. If we could get it up a little bit more than this, then it would be alright," he added.
In the wake of Australian promoter Ron Walker's harsh critique, Ecclestone said on Friday that "all the promoters" are also complaining to him. "We will have to have a reduction in fees!" Mr Ong laughed. More seriously, however, Ong revealed that Ecclestone met with a Singaporean government minister on Thursday, because "We are a city race, and we must have the 'buzz' with the noise."
83-year-old Ecclestone, however, suggested he was somewhat relieved to have actually heard the turbo V6s in action for the first time on Friday. "People said you couldn't hear anything, (but) it's not true," he said. (GMM)
Ecclestone admits new sound louder than he thought
- Published on 28 Mar 2014 11:38
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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G. Russell
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L. Hamilton
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
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C. Leclerc
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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G. Russell
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A. Antonelli
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Circuit
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
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