As a part of the reforms for 2017 season, Formula One is set to bring back refuelling of the cars during the race. Also, the cars have been proposed to be around 1000bhp power units which according to FIA officials should be around five to six seconds a lap quicker than the current race cars.

Refuelling set to return in F1

The pit stops in the races today allow the cars to change tyres and body panels only. Refuelling was last seen in a pit stop back in 2009. The refuelling of cars during race was banned primarily as a cost cutting effort and also as a step towards becoming more environmentally responsible.

Refuelling will be allowed in 2017 but without compromising on the economy of the engine. The power unit will remain the same V6 hybrid turbo but will become more powerful and noisier, according to the FIA officials.

Cars will automatically become faster if they do not have to carry whole fuel load of the race. Formula One starts also will become more interesting as the fuel load during start and the race pace will be set by the amount of fuel on board each car. This will be more exciting and propel the sport back into its glory years of the past.

Also this would reduce load and stress on the tyres which means the drivers will be able to drive harder and for longer. Pirelli would have to work on their tyres to improve the current ones. The teams have complained of overheating and losing grip in case of driven hard around the track.

Pirelli’s contract runs out in 2016. It will be interesting to see what policy the teams choose in terms of tyre manufacturers which is yet to be debated on.

These changes were result of a meeting held last Thursday by the Formula One think tank and top bosses chaired by the FIA president Jean Todt and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. The meeting also included the bosses and managers of Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, Williams and Force India teams.

The FIA said that the meeting held at Biggin Hill, south of London, had been ‘constructive’ and paved the way for the future of the championship. FIA also said that the teams have all decided to work collectively with an intention to firm up the proposals and submit them to FIA and the F1 commission for approval as soon as possible. The overall plans have been drawn however, the finer details are still to be worked out.

The changes proposed in this meeting are just the beginning which will be refined and detailed in the coming weeks. The FIA stated that they are looking at a comprehensive proposal to ensure the sustainability of the sport for the future.

Tags: Bernie Ecclestone, F1, FIA, Formula One, Motorsport, Motorsports, Refuelling