Formula One's governing body has formally approved plans to introduce a new V6 1.6 liter turbo engine from the start of the 2014 season.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Wednesday that its World Motor Sport Council had passed the new regulations in a fax vote. The Formula One commission that groups the sport's main stakeholders had already unanimously agreed the switch from V8 to V6 units with energy recovery systems. The original plans had been for a 1.6 liter four cylinder hybrid turbo engine to be introduced in 2013 but that met resistance from some manufacturers.