Arrivabene backs Lauda for F1 ‘revolution’
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 tires — 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."