Formula 1 Fuels Changes For 2017

Formula 1 bosses have agreed to bring back refuelling in 2017 as part of a range of measures aimed at making the sport faster, louder and more exciting.

Refuelling during the race has not been permitted since 2009.

According to the FIA, the governing body of the sport, changes will result in higher revving and louder engines and also hope to see the cars travel up to six seconds a lap faster.

For 2016, bosses have already approved a plan to allow teams free choice of the four available tyre compounds for each race.

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 engine rules, which saw the introduction of turbo hybrid engines and a fuel restriction last year, will remain stable, in a bid to offer clarity to any potential new manufacturers.

The moves follow mounting criticism of the spectacle provided by F1 in recent years, with drivers also claiming that the cars are too slow.

In some races cars have been up to ten seconds slower than in 2004.

The FIA statement said: “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.”

Meanwhile, a proposal to allow drivers to use a fifth engine this season, one up from the current limit of four, has been rejected.

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