Experiencing the new sound of F1, Bernie Ecclestone admitted that it was better than he anticipated but still needed to be a little louder.

It's something that the sport has been anticipating for some time and in fear that it would be a turn-off the F1 supremo not only delayed the introduction of the new V6 turbo formula he also managed to banish (for now) the concept of full electric power in the pitlane.

Since, Melbourne however, the sound - or lack of it - has divided the sport, its fans and its participants.

While Sebastian Vettel describes the new sound as "shit", Jenson Button urges those (drivers) that don't like it to find something new to race. Meanwhile on message boards and forums some fans say the sound is driving them away from the sport while others urge them to 'get a life'.

Experiencing the new sound of the sport for the first time, Ecclestone admitted that it was not as bad as he feared but that there is still room for improvement.

"It is a little better than we thought so if we can just get it up a little more than that then it would be alright," he told Sky Sport. "I wish I could get it up," he added with a mischievous grin.

"That's the problem," he continued. "All the promoters are complaining. It sounds terrible on TV, but the problem isn't that, the problem is for the people who are coming here and the atmosphere of Formula One."

Asked if the sound can be 'turned up' in a subsequent interview with the BBC, he admitted: "I don't know. You'll have to ask the engineers. I've asked them and they've said 'no.'"

In a further interview he said he thought the sport simply needed "more cowbell"

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Chris Balfe

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by creedolce, 29/03/2014 12:55

"I just wanted to say that i have been watching formula 1 since i was little kid. What attracts fans to see the race is the sound and speed of the cars. When you hear a v10, v8 coming down the track it send a vibe trough your whole body that you can't even explain. Lifting your skin and making you feel the power of the car and motor. The sound is unique and unlike any other racing sport. To remove that feeling and sound you take away from what the sport was made for. Also that is the atmosphere when you are at the race, hearing that pericing sound and feeling the cars shift gears and the people from all around the world. If you want my opinion keep the hybird on the city streets and not on the race track. A real engine runs on fuel not batteries. And honestly making the fastest racing sport in the world on a go green system will destroy the real meaning of formula 1."

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2. Posted by Ro, 28/03/2014 22:20

"Wow ! Bernie actually noticed us ! Id love to be a fly on the wall when he sees the viewing ratings go down too....Trust me fellas, go and watch a historic F1 race , cheaper, and you get RACING....at the moment, there's more overtaking in a Scalextric set than in an F1 race..."

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3. Posted by Burton, 28/03/2014 21:12

"well fms, Bernie actually said something about spectators at the circuit!"

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4. Posted by GoodPublicity, 28/03/2014 21:00

"More confused and insensitive utterances from the 'F1 supremo'.

It's the droning cars' effect on the diminishing numbers of TV viewers, not circuit spectators, that should concern him. Circuit spectators are the only people in the F1 world who don't contribute directly to his coffers. (The high rollers in FOM's circuit corporate suites are there to network, not watch the races.)

Of course the noise can be 'turned up'. The 1980s 1.5-litre F1 turbo engines were among the loudest in motorsport history, but of course they weren't subject to a fuel flow limit of 100kg/hour.

More fuel = more noise. It isn't rocket science.

As for "I wish I could get it up", that's another Ecclestone gaffe that should make F1's mainstream corporate sponsors wonder yet again what kind of taudry tent show they support."

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5. Posted by Ro, 28/03/2014 20:46

"No sorry, the sport doesnt need cowbells. It just didnt need changing. The engines should never have been used in F1 but in endurance racing. The only way the "noise" will go up is that there wont be so many spectators so you@ll be able to hear the engines more...I for one wont watch Malaysia, just not interested any more. Its a fabricated circus show now."

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Ecclestone: Engine noise not as bad as I thought

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