JANUARY 24, 2015
Arrivabene backs Lauda for F1 revolution
Ferrari has called for a rules "revolution" for formula one in 2017. Upset with the mild tone of the new V6 engines and a dwindling audience, Bernie Ecclestone wants a radical change and this week he earned the backing of Mercedes' team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda. "I want a car for the future that has 1,200 horse power, wide tyres -- formula one needs to be faster and more difficult, as it once was," Lauda said. Now, new Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said: "I share Niki's view that formula one needs to be more spectacular and I believe that the risk he evokes of the sport losing fans is something that has unfortunately already happened." In a statement posted on the Maranello team's website, Arrivabene called for "aesthetically more appealing" cars by 2017 that make noise akin to "a heavy metal band". "However, I don't think a simple evolution is enough in this case," said the former Marlboro executive. "Instead, a real revolution is called for, with significant and radical changes." (GMM)