Formula 1 refuelling return killed off
Formula 1 chiefs have formally canned the idea of refuelling coming back to the sport in 2017, Motorsport.com has learned.
Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, practice refueling
XPB Images
The idea of refuelling came up in a May meeting of F1's Strategy Group as part of an effort to try to improve the spectacle and make cars faster.
However, as Motorsport.com revealed last month, the idea stalled when detailed analysis of the implications of a return of refuelling showed that it could impact negatively on the sport.
Although Ferrari subsequently made clear that it was still in favour of the concept, discussion at last week's Strategy Group meeting delivered a consensus that the idea should be dropped.
Despite the speed benefit of having cars quicker in the race, the fear was that refuelling would be bad for racing as it would encourage all teams to run the same strategies.
2017 car developments on track
F1 teams also agreed to ramp up work on preparing the new faster and more challenging cars for 2017.
The FIA has approved a concession to allow teams to devote extra CFD capacity until July 20 to work on the 2017 concepts.
Information gathered from this will then be given to the governing body for a presentation of formal ideas. Particular focus will be put on ensuring that any changes to the cars do not jeopardise overtaking.
The hope is that the next big step in finalising the ideas can be prepared at the next F1 Strategy Group meeting in September.
Customer car talks on hold
Although discussions about customer cars dominated Strategy Group meetings earlier this year, the idea has now been put on hold.
Despite the need for there to be a contingency plan if grid numbers do fall, teams agreed that there was no need to aggressively push forward with the concept for now.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments