2014 critics pushing their own particular 'agenda' - Mosley

Former FIA president Max Mosley says criticism of the 'new' face of formula one is being powered by those with an "agenda". Since the sport made its revolutionary switch to the smaller, quieter and greener turbo V6 engines, the loudest critic has been Ferrari.

The current boss of F1's governing body, Jean Todt, is the new champion of the regulations, but they were actually the brainchild of Briton Mosley, who initially wanted the engines to be even quieter four-cylinder ones. He said the old V8s were "dinosaurs". "It's a really interesting technology and it's change," Mosley told Reuters when discussing the controversial new V6s. "If you don't have change, you just disappear."

In the last few days, it has been all change at Maranello, as Stefano Domenicali was ousted and the F1-unknown Marco Mattiacci was installed as team boss. But what has not changed is Ferrari's criticism of F1 2014. Italy's olympic chief, Giovanni Malago, was quoted in the Italian press recently as admitting he does not like the 'new' formula one.

Ferrari has now reproduced the quotes on its official website. "In my opinion, it's a form of self-harm," Malago said, referring to the 2014 rules. "I hope the people who run the sport look again at the rules because the way formula one is now, it has much less appeal and that's a shame as it is an extraordinary world."

Australia and Malaysia were panned as mainly processional races and the milder sound of the engines was criticised by many. But Bahrain - race three - was a true thriller, as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fought wheel-to-wheel for victory. Mercedes' Hamilton said on Tuesday: "Bahrain was fantastic, and not just for us as a team but for the sport. I'm sure it won't be the last time we see a great show this year."

Ferrari has not been the only paddock voice making noise about 2014, as reigning world champions Red Bull and even F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone have also been highly and repeatedly critical. "It's quite entertaining," Mosley said, "because you know all the people and you know the way they react and they are all, of course, pushing their own particular agenda. But what they don't realise is that the public understands that. The truth of the matter is I think that the public don't take the slightest notice." (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • denis1304

    Posts: 284

    These engines were developed last 3 years, lot of money was spend, do Ferrari and Red Bull really think V8 shift is possible?
    Ferrari and Renault were schooled this year and need to do better job next season. Would be funny if Honda will be better next season...

    • + 0
    • Apr 16 2014 - 13:48

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,529
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 231
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, United Kingdom
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar