Ecclestone to fight Todt over 2013 engines

Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he is "at loggerheads" with FIA president Jean Todt about F1’s engine formula for 2013.

Todt has announced new 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbo regulations, but F1 chief executive Ecclestone on Thursday admitted he fears it will rob the sport of one of its two most important factors.

According to Australian news agency AAP, he said one crucial factor "is Ferrari and second is the noise" of the big normally-aspirated engines.

The 80-year-old said he is so worried that he fears television broadcasters will stop buying the rights to formula one.

"I’m anti, anti, anti, anti moving into this small turbo four formula," said Ecclestone.

"We don’t need it and if it’s so important it’s the sort of thing that should be in saloon car racing.

"These changes are going to be terribly costly to the sport. I’m sure the promoters will lose a big audience and I’m quite sure we’ll lose TV," he added.