F1 teams could use V8s in 2013

Formula One's governing body has softened its stance on the introduction of smaller 'greener' engines from 2013, commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone said on Sunday.

Ecclestone told Reuters that International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt had suggested at a Spanish Grand Prix meeting on Saturday that teams may be allowed to continue using the current V8 engines for one more year alongside the new one.

Ecclestone, who has been a firm critic of the 1.6 litre, four-cylinder, hybrid, turbocharged engine championed by Todt and supported by French manufacturer Renault, felt, however, that the proposal would not work.

"What he (Todt) is talking about now is letting the V8s run for a year (more) or something, but I mean, equivalency formulas never work, do they?," he said.

Formula One has been in such a situation before and most recently when cash-strapped Toro Rosso, formerly Minardi, was allowed to use a restricted V10 engine in 2006 while other teams competed with V8s.

Asked whether Todt's compromise was a sign of greater flexibility, Ecclestone replied: "We'll have to see now. I don't know. I hope, I hope, I hope. I think he's beginning to understand that the manufacturers all realise it's going to cost them a lot of money and they can't hand that on to their customers because the engines are going to be too expensive."

Todt met engine manufacturers and McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh, head of the Formula One Teams Association, in the Catalunya paddock. Those present were tight-lipped about the talks afterwards, but Ecclestone said his opinion had not been swayed in any way.

"Contrary to what people believe, I have no problem with Jean. I have been friends with him for many, many years," he said. "I think the whole idea of this engine is the wrong way to go. I haven't changed and I told him yesterday I have not changed my opinion."

Ecclestone said he was thinking purely from a commercial point of view, with promoters concerned that the new engines, which will sound very different and have been compared to those in the junior GP3 series, would affect ticket sales.

"People come to Formula One - they've got the noise and the whole atmosphere of Formula One and if that disappears they think they won't get so many (spectators) and the (attendance) will go down," he said.

Ecclestone said the noise was a huge factor in the sport's enduring appeal.

"Absolutely. that's what it's all about. You don't see people staying here for the GP3 or even GP2 - they leave. But they are here for the noise in Formula One, that's what they want," he said.

The Briton said Todt remained convinced that Formula One needed to position itself as a more fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly sport.

"Jean is still believing that he says we should be giving a message," he declared. "I don't know what the message is because there is more fuel used in the Tour de France than there is in Formula One. In my opinion it's all a bit of window dressing for the wrong reasons."