22/06/2011
NEWS STORY
Ahead of today's meeting of the F1 Commission, Bernie Ecclestone has made a move aimed at thwarting the change to the 2013 engine formula.
While the new 1.6litre four cylinder turbo formula was passed by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council last year - a move which according to some meant the introduction of the new formula was cast in stone - there has been repeated criticism of the proposal both in terms of costs and aesthetics.
Now, in a move somewhat similar to Max Mosley's recent revelation that the approval to return Bahrain to the 2011 calendar breeched the Concorde Agreement, Ecclestone has written to the F1 Commission claiming that the vote over the engine rules broke the rules of the governing body's own constitution. Indeed, his comment echoes what Pitpass was told by a senior source at the FIA in April. "I don't believe we ever voted clearly on the engine," said the source - a comment ridiculed by one publication which insisted that the new formula was cast in stone and published the relevant press release to 'prove' it.
Some are already seeing this as the latest episode in a power play between Ecclestone and Jean Todt, the two having both clashed over the Bahrain saga.
Ecclestone is against the introduction of the new formula, and has the support of Ferrari, Mercedes and Cosworth, indeed, of the engine manufacturers only Renault is in favour of the new formula, threatening to leave the sport if its introduction is stalled or abandoned.
While Todt has said he is willing to delay the introduction of the new formula, Ecclestone and others appear determined to scrap the proposal completely and draft a whole new set of rules.