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F1 needs 'a revolution', says Ferrari boss

ESPN Staff
January 25, 2015 « Ferrari releases Vettel 2015 car teaser | Renault: Five wins the minimum in 2015 »
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New Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene believes F1 needs a revolution before 2017 to prevent the loss of more fans.

There is currently a question mark over the future of the sport, with several parties dissatisfied with the current engine regulations and a debate still ongoing about costs. Last week Niki Lauda was quoted as saying he wanted to see F1 continue to push for 1000bhp cars for the 2017 grid, something new Ferrari arrival Arrivabene agrees with.

"By 2017, I too would like to see cars that win over the fans, with cars that they can get closer to and that are aesthetically more appealing, maybe even producing a noise that gets your hair standing on end, like that produced by a heavy metal band," Arrivabene told the team's official website. "That was what it was like back in the day when Niki was racing and I was an enthusiastic fan, clutching my general admission ticket. However, I don't think a simple evolution is enough in this case.

"Instead, a real revolution is called for, with significant and radical changes. By that I mean more power, higher speeds, not necessarily involving the use of more fuel, but definitely applying a cost reduction to those components that are of little interest to the general public."

F1 chiefs are due to meet to discuss the leap to 1000bhp cars this week, with talks ongoing. But Arrivabene also wants to see a revolution away from the track as well as on it.

"Being closer to the people actually involves taking F1 to the people, possibly holding the Thursday driver press conferences and team presentations of a grand prix weekend, outside the circuit in a public area.

"That way, the cities that host the races could provide the arena for a presentation of the drivers and cars, in a properly managed event."

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