Formula 1’s plans to reintroduce refuelling in 2017 could be scrapped this weekend amid dwindling support following further consideration.
Team bosses are due to meet in Canada to discuss the idea further, going over recent analysis on how exactly it would impact the sport and whether claims it would reduce, not increase, the spectacle are indeed true.
During refuelling’s last period, overtaking was at an all time low. Whilst things have changed, such as the introduction of high-wearing Pirelli tyres and DRS, team chiefs remain unconvinced of its benefits.
Several key figures within the Strategy Group are believed to now be against the proposal, whilst others have expressed concern it would lead to greater costs whilst risking safety.
“If you cast your mind back to races where there was refuelling, they weren’t that exciting – you just timed the pitstop, you either went shorter or longer [in the stint], and that dictated your strategy,” Red Bull’s Christian Horner recently said.
Meanwhile Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds shared similar concern: “Personally I am against refuelling because when we got rid of it, it was done on very solid grounds,” he told Motorsport this week.
Some within the group still support its return, but it’s now believed they’re in a minority – though in voting terms they could still hold a majority – therefore it’s unclear whether the proposal will be voted through to the F1 Commission for inclusion in the regulations for 2017.
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