FIA president Jean Todt has rejected calls for Formula 1 to abandon its push for greener engines when it eventually replaces the current V6 Hybrid systems.
Some stakeholders, teams and fans have called for the sport to return to the days of naturally-aspirated V10 or V12 engines to boost the noise and excitement, but Todt believes such a move would be socially unacceptable and predicts the majority of current manufacturers would leave.
"It will not be accepted by society," he told the FIA's AUTO magazine. "Again, we have a responsibility to run an organisation monitored by global society. And global society will not accept that.
"Indeed, I'm sure if you said, 'let's go back to engines from 10 years ago', many manufacturers would not support such a move. I'm convinced a minimum of three out of four would leave."
Todt also argued that the sport needs stability, rather than constant change, not only for competition but to reduce spending which he described as "absurd".
"Also, we know that stability is essential – firstly, to have as much competition as possible, and then to protect the investment. You cannot invest in new technology every year, it is not financially sustainable, and we already complain about the cost of racing, the cost of Formula One – a cost that for me absurd.
"It's something we need to fight. So far we have not managed to find the ideal solution and I'm happy to take part of the responsibility on behalf of the governing body But saying that, it is not easy because you need to find common ground."
