15/05/2015
NEWS STORY
F1's Strategy Group has agreed that refuelling, which was dropped in 2009, is to return to the sport in 2017, in an effort to "improve the show".
The return of the controversial practice is one of several decision to come out of yesterday's meeting of the F1 Strategy Group and is aimed at spicing up the sport at a time fans, be they at races or watching on TV, are turning away from F1 along with sponsors.
Besides the statuary members of the Group, FIA president Jean Todt, Bernie Ecclestone and the six leading teams from 2014, representatives of the engine manufacturers were also invited.
The Strategy Group members, having debated a number of moves aimed at "improving the show", subsequently agreed on the following:
For 2016:
Free choice of the two dry tyre compounds (out of four) that each team can use during the race weekend
For 2017:
Faster cars: 5 to 6 seconds drop in lap times through aerodynamic rules evolution, wider tyres and reduction of car weight
Reintroduction of refuelling (maintaining a maximum race fuel allowance)
Higher revving engines and increased noise
More aggressive looks
A number of other measures were discussed but require further investigation before they can be implemented. They include:
A global reflection on race weekend format
Measures to make starts only activated by the driver without any outside assistance
Furthermore, in light of the various scenarios presented by the independent consulting company mandated by the F1 Strategy Group, at the initiative of the FIA, to work on the reduction of costs and following a constructive exchange, a comprehensive proposal to ensure the sustainability of the sport has emerged. The Strategy Group member teams have committed to refine it in the next few weeks, in consultation with the other teams involved in the championship.
On the engine side, it has been decided that stability of the rules should prevail in consideration of the investments of the manufacturers involved in the sport and to give visibility to potential new entrants. The allowance for a 5th engine to be used during the 2015 season has been rejected.
According to the FIA, "This constructive meeting between the FIA, FOM and the Teams has allowed paving the way for the future of the championship. All parties agreed to work together with an intention to firm up these proposals and submit them to the approval of the F1 Commission and the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA as soon as possible for implementation."
Discuss