Bernie Ecclestone criticises Jean Todt over V4 engines, says ‘FIA is a joke’ – Formula 1
Formula 1 Chief, Bernie Ecclestone, has once again criticised Jean Todt’s idea of V4 engines in Formula 1 for the 2013 season. Ecclestone stated that V4’s cannot be used in F1 racing and Todt has absolutely embarrassed the sport by making his statement public.
He further added that F1 teams should decide about the engines and then the summary should be handed to Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for implementation.
On Wednesday, Jean Todt said that Bernie should forget about the noise of the engines and start thinking about the environmental issues. Todt said, “I think it's very important that F1, being the pinnacle of motor racing, takes on board the evolution of
society.” He further added that Formula 1 has already evolved from 12 cylinder engines to V8 engines, and going to V4’s will not be a big issue.
Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at Todt over his view and said that Formula 1 does not need the FIA’s new ideas. Ecclestone criticised Todt’s credibility and said that unlike his predecessor, Max Mosley, Todt has not done much for Formula 1 as a sport. He
joked that Todt has only helped out the FIA by travelling and kissing babies.
Ecclestone said that the Formula 1 rules should be devised by the F1 teams and not imposed by the FIA. He said, “We should write the rules with the teams give them to the FIA and they should make sure they are followed. The competitors have got to race and
have got a big investment. We have got a big investment.”
Ecclestone has already said that Formula 1 is largely becoming the sport of the rich and he said that HRT and Virgin should drop from the arena as their budget is too small for F1. He added that Formula 1 attracts sponsor advertisement more than any other
sport. Ecclestone has also previously said that there are two things that keep F1 alive and these include Ferrari and the noise of the engines. He fears that by moving to V4’s, F1 will lose heavy sponsorship which will eventually spell doom for the sport.
Nevertheless, the 2011 season will start with Ecclestone’s favourite, V8 machines, on Friday. F1 teams and drivers are yet to have an opinion about the V4 engines and Todt.
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