F1 engine change to go ahead: Parr

A new Formula One engine being designed for 2013 will sound fantastic and be good for the sport however much Bernie Ecclestone dislikes it, according to Williams chairman Adam Parr.

A new Formula One engine being designed for 2013 will sound fantastic and be good for the sport however much Bernie Ecclestone dislikes it, according to Williams chairman Adam Parr.

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Speaking to Reuters at the Chinese Grand Prix at the weekend, Parr made clear he was a big supporter of the technology despite increasing opposition in certain quarters.

F1's commercial supremo Ecclestone has used interviews to criticise the smaller 'greener' 1.6 litre four cylinder hybrid engine, expressing concern that it will sound 'terrible' and alienate fans.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, whose company's luxury sportscars use V8 or V12 engines, has also called for a rethink about ditching the current V8s.

Parr said he had a very strong view on the matter and felt it was time to speak out. "F1 is ultimately defined by its technology and F1's constant reinvention of itself, whether it's on the chassis side or the engine side, is fundamental to the sport," he said.

"The people who don't want things to change are the people who for whatever reason feel they have an incumbent advantage by not changing things."