Martin Whitmarsh says he would be against a two-tier formula when Formula 1 introduces new turbo engines in 2014.
McLaren boss reveals talks about allowing two engine types in 2014
Martin Whitmarsh says he would be against a two-tier formula when Formula 1 introduces new turbo engines in 2014.
Concerns have been raised over the number of engine manufacturers there will be, with some reports suggesting only Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault will produce the new 1.6-litre V6.
There is concern among the teams and engine builders over the cost of the new power units. PURE have already stopped work on their programme, whilst Cosworth look likely to drop off the grid having lost Williams and Caterham as customers in recent seasons.
Tentative talks took place over allowing the current 2.4-litre V8s to compete alongside the new engines, but, Whitmarsh says that is something he would be against.
"It's feasible," he told
Autosport. "I don't think it's an attractive thing to do, personally.
"Equivalence formulas, we have had it before, we had it in '88, we had turbos and normally aspirateds when we were coming the other way.
"It wasn't such a bad memory for McLaren, but it wasn't an attractive formula."
The Team Principal added that if the proposal went ahead, the rules would have to ensure that the turbo engines had an advantage.
"I think you'd have to arrange, if you did it, such that the new turbo engines have advantage over normally aspirated, so you're creating a two-tier championship, which is I think not an attractive thing to have," he said.
