A new report emerged a few days ago, indicating refuelling is back on agenda for the 2017 season, after proposals were dropped prior to the British Grand Prix.
However, to the surprise of many, team bosses and other major F1 related personnel admit refuelling is not the direction the sport should be heading for, and suggestions by many indicate it could lead to a reduction in racing, and make the sport more ‘boring’.
The first concern for the sport is the eminent cost and safety related fears, as refuelling may defeat the purpose of the 2017 regulation proposals, further increasing costs, and sending the midfield and customer teams into a very ‘difficult’ situation, as seen this year with Lotus F1.
However, this may also reduce on-track action, many team bosses argue. Last May, these proposals were denied by Ferrari, Red Bull, Force India, McLaren and Mercedes, and the teams comments on this matter haven’t changed by any means.
However Formula 1 top-man, Jean Todt isn’t against the idea and is pushing for the inevitable mid-race refuelling.
“We are talking about €50,000 a year,” Todt told Reuters.
“If it is good for the show, I’m in favour of reducing the cost, but that is not a key point in the global costs of F1. At least, we should discuss it.”
Whilst, on the other hand, team bosses have shared some opposed opinions:
“To bring back refuelling, and to make F1 again appear as a gas-guzzling sport, just completely steps all over that message. So I am very anti-[refuelling].” Claire Williams told Motorsport.com
Williams chief technical officer, Pat Symonds argues that refuelling would be ‘extremely expensive’ and reduce overtaking: I am strongly opposed to refuelling.” Symonds told F1 Hub.
“Extreme expense at a time when the financial model is difficult.”
