LONDON: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has called for teams to use a standard engine from 2010 as part of draconian measures to cut costs and ensure the sport's survival.

"The thing I am most excited about is pushing and pushing and pushing the homologated engine idea," the Briton was quoted as saying in Thursday's edition of the Times newspaper.

"The new engine will be equalised and there will only be two engine changes a year, so costs are going to dramatically come down, and I mean dramatically."