Breaking news
Formula 1
Ecclestone claims EU could help push alternative F1 engine through
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone thinks the European Union could get involved if manufacturers get together to block plans for an alternative engine.
Adam Cooper
Published: Nov 14, 2015, 10:41 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
As revealed by Motorsport.com, the FIA surprised teams on Friday by issuing a call for expressions of interest from potential budget engine suppliers, which is the first stage of the tender process.
The move came even before the F1 Commission had voted on the subject, something that in theory it needs to do because having two engine types in F1 could require significant rule changes for 2017.
With the F1 Commission vote appearing to be quite tight, Ecclestone has suggested that if it doesn't get through, then the body could get overruled by the EU on anti-competition grounds.
"People can go up for the tender and then it's up to the F1 Commission to decide whether they want to do it," Ecclestone told Motorsport.com.
"I think the European Commission will sort it out. I don't think it would be hard to get it through the F1 Commission, but I'd rather it now be dealt with by the European Commission.
"It's all the things they want to be against – anti-competitive, and cartels. They don't like cartels, they don't like those sort of things."
When it was suggested that an EU involvement could take months, Ecclestone insisted this was nothing to do with the recent complaint from Sauber and Force India, which relates to how income is shared.
"This is a different thing to what the other people complained about," he said. "Who said we haven't already started?"
Not for Red Bull
Ecclestone denied that the whole process has been instigated to try to force one of the manufacturers to provide an engine for Red Bull.
"Not really, I don't want an engine for Red Bull like that," he explained.
"We need another engine supplier. We don't want to be put in a position where we've got them squeezing our balls."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Grosjean committed to helping Lotus hold off Toro Rosso
Next article Pirelli wants drop-off 'cliff' return for F1
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 10, 2024
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1 Apr 10, 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1 Apr 10, 2024
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Latest news
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 6 h
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 7 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
8 h
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
10 h
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe