Everything old is new again or so it would seem. We’ve talked about refueling in Formula 1 before and while some fans would like to see its return, others aren’t convinced.
The FIA president, Jean Todt, is among those who believe it may be a good idea given how heavy the cars have become.
“Personally, I would like to see refuelling, but I am happy to see a study on the positives and negatives.
“Cars are probably becoming a bit too heavy. That is something we discussed.
“I am pushing for analysing what it would mean if we reintroduced refuelling because if you reintroduce refuelling then you will have lighter cars at the start of the race and you can have smaller cars.”
The safety and expense of refueling was the reason it was removed from the series but now it seems that the cost factor isn’t that big of an issue to Todt.
“When I hear it will be more expensive it makes me smile.
“When I see the size of the [teams’] motorhomes I don’t think it is the price that will be the killer to introducing it.”
So safety and cost in F1 isn’t a concern where it was, for years, labeled as an expensive element that cost way too much to keep. In fairness, the refueling rigs were very expensive.
What do you think? Should F1 bring refueling back? If Todt isn’t concerned over cost or safety, then what compelling reason is there to not bring it back?
Hat Tip: Autosport
Will it improve the racing spectacle thought, that is the fundamental question.?
I’m really not sure, it can go either way. Refueling can mean teams and drivers pushing harder in each stint, but it can also lead to battles of strategy rather than racecraft, where all the “passing” takes place with one car in the pits. Given the inherent fire danger, I would hope they only go back to refueling if there’s a truly compelling case that it makes for better on-track racing.
Bring back refueling, limit the tank size and give them different levels of tires that they can actually push on. Then maybe you will get different strategies. Oh and remove this use two different tires during the race, they can use the tires that give their car the best strategy.
yes please
Makes as much sense as “safe and sane fireworks”