7 Reasons Why Refuelling In F1 Would Be A Really Stupid Idea

While improvements to safety have been made since refuelling was last used in 2009, there are still lots of potential risks for the pit crews. Safety concerns were just one of several reasons why refuelling was eventually dropped.

We don’t want a repeat of this, do we? Refuelling throws up lots of safety concerns, especially for the guys who are wedged behind the wheel.

3. Refuelling means more money

Some F1 teams are already struggling and we’ve seen a few exit the sport in recent years. Another reason why refuelling was dropped in 2009 was to cut costs (of equipment, transportation etc), and with money even more of a problem now, it would make matters even worse.

We’re always in awe of just how quickly F1 teams complete pit stops. It’s an exciting part of the race and is incredible to watch – almost like a choreographed dance for three seconds or less. Refuelling would take that art away.

5. Action in the pits

This is an issue that was recently flagged up by Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds. When refuelling was part of F1, all of the overtaking would be completed during the pit stop phases.

On-track passing figures were well down compared to recent years (although the introduction of DRS has helped that). Symonds highlighted that because people would often do very similar things on strategy, there were fewer overtakes and drivers would sometimes wait behind a slower car to pit and leap-frog them on strategy rather than on the circuit. Boo!

6. One step forward, three steps back

F1 should always be looking to evolve. The sport’s current guise is producing decent racing with incredible technology, but there are plenty of other problems to be solved – refuelling fixes none of them.

It’s almost like taking one step forward and several steps back. The decision shows that F1 is looking back at the past to try and recover what it once had, when really it should be looking to the future.

7. Priorities

While refuelling could bring another element to races, there are more pressing issues in F1 that need sorting. Some teams are struggling to survive, classic race tracks are finding it difficult to pay the extortionately high race fees, TV figures in many areas are falling, and costs continue to be a big problem. Those in charge need to sort out the sport’s priorities…

Fortunately, it would appear that F1 team bosses have unanimously changed their minds on the matter, following a meeting in Canada recently. Motorsport.com reports that they have found returning to refuelling would not improve the show. So, it looks like we won’t be seeing it return in 2017. Thank goodness!

Yea or nay to refuelling in F1? What are your thoughts?