multi21

20 October 2015 – Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes that the sport should drop the current turbocharged V6 power units in favour of a return to V8 engines for 2016, even without consent from the teams.

Ecclestone has repeatedly spoken out against the 1.6-litre V6 units, which were introduced for the 2014 campaign, lamenting a greater focus on efficiency and lack of engine noise.

Although any changes to the regulations would normally require unanimous agreement of the teams, Ecclestone is confident that he would be able to push through such a plan.

"I don't think we should get consent from the teams," Ecclestone told The Independent.

"I think we should just do it and say to them, 'If you don't like it you can go to arbitration'. We could get the V8s back next year. People can build them in no time so we ought to do it."

Ecclestone is also eager to see an independent engine supplier return to the Formula 1 paddock, given the current engine dilemma facing Red Bull and junior team Toro Rosso.

"If Ferrari only agreed to supply one customer engine, Mercedes only agreed to supply one, nobody would have any engines. That's exactly what the situation is," Ecclestone went on to explain.

"We need an independent engine supplier. I've been on about this now for a year and a half."

Land Jet

At least Bernie is showing some sense, now if only the FIA could just bring itself to pull its head out of its ***.

Paseb

Bring back the sound!

LuigiVampa

Love the idea but it is impractical for 2016 and he knows it. The cars have already been designed for the current engine and you can't just drop a V8 into one of them.

BlueBarchetta

Overall a great idea, though as others have said, impractical for 2016.

However is this just something to distract the media, particularly the American media, away from his anti-American, pro-Putin/Russia comments? Basically to give him something to talk about while visiting COTA?

GT3DE

Do it. Put v8 back in cars. Red Bull will stay. MB will no longer be dominant.

dbf73

If Bernie said apple pie and motherhood were good things, I'd reject him out of hand. Jon Lovitz' Tommy Flanangan character has more credibility

multi21

The teams COULD build one in no time, but the packaging around the current chassis and body would be difficult. Something's got to give. F1 is going down the toilet with virtually no competition, even among the two Mercedes drivers. The possibility of the Lotus, Red Bull and Toro Rosso teams leaving because of financial problems (Lotus) and engine suppliers is real.

It would NEVER happen these days, but imagine a grid like the old days where there were different engines on grid all competing against each other. I'd like to see a N/A V8 against the Mercedes "power unit" and see what happens.

TrackDays247.com

Unless his quotes are out of context, WTH is he thinking?
Although he does spout theoretical things often...ever hear him ramble?

Coochas

Totally in favor of this but I can't imagine the teams being able to design a car around an engine on such short notice.

morsini

I say open up the rule book. Tell them the dimensions of the car and what it should weigh and leave the rest up to the team. Then we can all sit back and watch the carnage - that would be interesting.

LuigiVampa

When he gets to COTA he will just say that his comments were taken out of context and start smack talking about the Russians. That's what Bernie does.

Hard to believe that a business worth billions is being run like this. Its simple - F1 is about entertainment. Their product is speed and noise and they aren't delivering on either.

Speeds5

Lack of passing is the real problem in F1. I don't know how they solve that. Maybe redesign some of the track as bigger and wider.

theporscheguy

Yes, bring back the V8's.

FGL28

What would be an interesting battle of the current power units vs a traditional V8.

But, there is too much money involved. I bet the current engine suppliers will fight back but, in the interest of cost cutting, they are on the way out. Probably on the next 5 years.