Ecclestone softens stance on quieter F1 engines

Associated Press
President and CEO of Formula One management Bernie Ecclestone, center, walks at the pit area during the second practice session ahead of Sunday's Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, Friday, March 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

SEPANG, Malaysia (AP) — Formula One commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone has slightly softened his opposition to the new muted sounds of the sport's engines, but still believes more needs to be done to improve it for fans.

Ecclestone had always opposed the sport's switch to V6 turbo hybrid engines, brought in this season by the sport's governing body, the FIA, because it stripped away the high-pitched roar of the engine.

He attended Friday's practice session at the Malaysian Grand Prix and for the first time had the chance to hear it in the flesh.

Ecclestone said it is "a little better than we thought," but added it "sounds terrible on TV" and that "the problem is for all the people coming here and the whole atmosphere."