Ecclestone continues opposition against V6 turbo

Bernie Ecclestone is continuing to rail against F1's modern-day engine formula. The F1 supremo has always been opposed to the turbo V6 'power units', particularly since their mild sound, fuel restrictions and huge cost to struggling small teams became clear.

Alan Kinch, finance director at Williams, told F1 business journalists Christian Sylt and Kate Hewitt this week that moving from V8s to V6s "essentially doubled the costs", according to The Independent newspaper. The Strategy Group met at Ecclestone's Biggin Hill airport facility last Thursday, but the 84-year-old's push to bring back loud and screaming V8s foundered.

"I want to change many things," the diminutive Briton told the latest edition of Italy's Autosprint magazine, published on Tuesday. "Today we have a formula where the engines are the most important thing. I do not think that F1 should have engines that are so complicated. A friend of mine, who I will not name but who works for a big manufacturer, told me that the technical solutions on the current F1 hybrids will never be used on road cars."

"These engines do not help formula one in any way," he continued. "They do not help the show, they do not help the teams to find sponsors and investment. The teams are having to pay much more for them than they did before. Of course it is possible to use different engines (in F1) that are cheaper but with the same performance -- but the manufacturers don't want to," said Ecclestone. (GMM)

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • More lies from Bernie, he is clearly siding with Mercedes on keeping the current engines while trying to appear the robin hood of smaller teams. You aren't fooling anyone old man.

    • + 0
    • May 19 2015 - 12:37
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    I second that.
    He knew very well that these engines would be very complex and expensive. So either he's just trying to be Mr. Popular or he's a blithering idiot for agreeing to these changes without doing his homework.
    And if the manufacturers don't want to go back to V8's then at least redistribute the money so smaller teams get a more equal piece of the pie. Then maybe they can afford these expensive engines and be more competitive.

    • + 0
    • May 19 2015 - 18:33

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

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar