adminFormula 1 bosses have agreed to bring back refuelling in 2017 as part of a range of measures aimed at making the sport more exciting. There will also be higher revving and louder engines and changes aimed at making cars “five to six seconds a lap faster”, governing body the FIA said.
For 2016, bosses have approved a plan to allow teams free choice of the four available tyre compounds for each race.
The changes still need to be approved by two further legislative stages.
The changes were agreed on Thursday at a meeting of the F1 strategy group, which comprises FIA president Jean Todt, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, Williams and Force India teams. The engine manufacturers were also represented at the meeting.
The FIA statement added that a “comprehensive proposal to ensure the sustainability of the sport has emerged”.
This, it said, would be refined by the teams in the coming weeks.
The engine rules, which saw the introduction of turbo hybrid engines and a fuel restriction last year, will remain stable.
This is to give clarity for any potential new manufacturers who may be considering entering the sport.
But it is the return of refuelling which will attract the most attention — the practice was last permitted in 2009.
The FIA said a “maximum race fuel allowance” would be retained. A spokesman said there had been “no agreement to change” the current 100kg limit but added: “This could evolve.” However, he added that the maximum fuel-flow rate of 100kg per hour would stay. — BBCSport
Online Reporter