28/03/2014
NEWS STORY
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"
Check out our Friday gallery, here.
Chris Balfe