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Without equality, engine agreement will be scrapped - Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone has warned that he will not hesitate to toss out the recent agreement between F1 manufacturers, FOM and the FIA if engine performance parity is not achieved.

Speaking to the media in Sochi last weekend, Ecclestone commented on a deal voted late last week which includes plans to reduce engine costs and guarantee customer teams a supply.

But Formula 1's supremo admitted that the main purpose of the vote was to ensure a level playing between manufacturers.

"The only thing we want is for the engines to be equal," Ecclestone said. "Let's wait and see...

"If not then that will all be torn up and we will start again with a new set of regulations where the engines might be easier.

"The normally aspirated engines we had were more or less equal. They had all reached the maximum.

"It is just a question of bolting on some hybrid stuff that works and that is where the problem will start."

On the subject of an independent engine plan which had been contemplated at one point as a result of rising engine costs and Red Bull's difficulties in finding a supplier, Ecclestone said such an option was no longer viable.

"It would be nice, but nobody in the world would ever build an engine for these regulations. You would be out of business before you started."

The 85-year-old F1 boss also trounced Mercedes and Ferrari, considering both manufacturers refusal to supply Red Bull as the sole reason for the subsequent engine imbroglio.

"We wouldn't have any problems trying to change anything had Mercedes or Ferrari agreed to supply Red Bull with an engine," he said.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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