Seriously, why not bring back refueling?

[da_one]

Pirelli tyres have made pitstops too predictable and processional. Everyone pits within 1-2 laps of each other and everyone has to nurse their tyres just to maintain position. Drivers leading a race has a huge advantage since they can dictate the pace and conserve their tyres better than the drivers behind. By the time drivers behind can attack, it's already too late.

Consequently, it prevents drivers like Alonso and Hamilton to drive all out. So I say bring back refueling so we can see drivers without the fastest car attack each lap! It also makes the race unpredictable, since we don't know when each driver would pit or change strategy mid race to jump cars in front.

Oh well, perhaps I just miss the times when Schumi would go on a 3 stopper to steal victory from the faster Mclarens...but who doesn't

[impactX]

We should save even more cost by having no refueling and having 1 set of tire per race like 2005.

[Hermann]

When refueling was scrapped the foums were full of people screaming in delight, with some people like me not liking the idea at all and being the lone voice in the desert. But now i don't care anymore, at least its a lot less dangerous for pitcrews.

[Hornet]

It is a hard one to find the best balance.

In today's rule where
-all top 10 must start on the tires they set their qualifying lap with, so basically everyone will be on the same tires.
-everyone must use both sets, this reduces the possible variations.

Give both restrictions, there is usually an obvious tire strategy and hence we see everyone on similar strategy at the front.

I think teams should be free to use any tires they want in the race. Let them start with and use any tire of their choice.

[Ken]

It is a hard one to find the best balance.

In today's rule where
-all top 10 must start on the tires they set their qualifying lap with, so basically everyone will be on the same tires.
-everyone must use both sets, this reduces the possible variations.

Give both restrictions, there is usually an obvious tire strategy and hence we see everyone on similar strategy at the front.

I think teams should be free to use any tires they want in the race. Let them start with and use any tire of their choice.

I totally agree with you and would like to see refueling back for strategy calls. Surely with all the enterprising engineers and designers in F1 some one could make a fail safe system ??

Yea I loved those days

[sagi58]

I understand that the intention for both the standard tires and no refuelling were supposed to be cost-cutting measures to prove to the world that F1 is both economically and environmentally conscientious. However, I don't believe these measures have actually made any kind of difference, except to the drivers/teams and fans.

Having said that, I don't believe that any driver/team race strategy should be dictatated by "outside" sources such as Pirelli telling drivers/teams which tires will be available for each race! Sure, mandate a maximum number of tires allowed per race; however, choices should not be limited!

The same thing goes for refuelling! Just because it's an option/strategy doesn't mean that everyone is going to need/want to make that choice! It's been mentioned often enough that an airplane consumes more fuel in one flight than all the cars on the grid in one race (Not sure of the "exact" figures; but, I do remember that it was an insignificant difference!!).

Isn't it ironic that these two things were supposed to make F1 more exciting haven't done anything except make it more predictable?

[Greig]

I don't think the fuel or tyres were much to do with cost cutting, they still use the same fuel and tyres.

Pitstops for fuel were just as predictable really. As for teams picking their tyres we had basically this when Ferrari had Bridgestone, and it would probably result in one team finding an advantage that makes them win in a predictable fashion. Tyres have always been a massive performance area in F1 and I don't see how they can change that.

[Kyss4k]

I don't think the fuel or tyres were much to do with cost cutting, they still use the same fuel and tyres.

Pitstops for fuel were just as predictable really. As for teams picking their tyres we had basically this when Ferrari had Bridgestone, and it would probably result in one team finding an advantage that makes them win in a predictable fashion. Tyres have always been a massive performance area in F1 and I don't see how they can change that.

Refueling was indeed scraped because of cost cutting. They could get rid of those huge and freaking expensive "refueling machines" used on pit stops which they doesn't need now. They are using much cheeper and slower ones to refuel cars in the garage. I would welcome refueling back with an open arms tho, even that it did cost us dearly at few occasions

[Greig]

F1 had no refuelling in the past, nothing to do with cost cutting really

[Sha1]

It becomes very irritating to have them go back and forth with the regulations. They've changed from slicks to grooved tires, then back to slicks again. They've had refuelling, no refuelling, a pit stop prohibition (ridiculous), and now mandatory pit stops (arguably even more ridiculous).

As much as I liked refuelling, the sport really needs some consistency right now so leaving things as they are wouldn't hurt. To me it just looks like a big experiment every year. If they feel there are flaws in the rules then constantly changing them only further outlines those flaws.

[Ken]

Refueling was indeed scraped because of cost cutting. They could get rid of those huge and freaking expensive "refueling machines" used on pit stops which they doesn't need now. They are using much cheeper and slower ones to refuel cars in the garage. I would welcome refueling back with an open arms tho, even that it did cost us dearly at few occasions

If my memory serves me well refueling was stopped for safety reasons.

As I said earlier give the engineers and designers a chance and I am sure a safe method for refueling could be found.

[sagi58]

... the sport really needs some consistency right now so leaving things as they are wouldn't hurt. To me it just looks like a big experiment every year. If they feel there are flaws in the rules then constantly changing them only further outlines those flaws.

You raise a very good point, consistency is important!! However, it would seem that consistency eventually leads to predictability!!
Which brings us back to Square One!!

[REDARMYSOJA]

A very good reason NOT to bring back refueling.





Jos94.jpg


25032003094409-pitoykusu2.jpg


bottleblonde_verstappen-benetton_fire_94.gif

[Kyss4k]

F1 had no refuelling in the past, nothing to do with cost cutting really

It is not based on my feeling or something :) As I remember, there were a lot of writing about the no refueling rule and that is from where I have that info. There were even number about how much money was saved by different changes of regultions. I don't know if I'll find those articles... it is 3 years now...

[Rob]

It is not based on my feeling or something :) As I remember, there were a lot of writing about the no refueling rule and that is from where I have that info. There were even number about how much money was saved by different changes of regultions. I don't know if I'll find those articles... it is 3 years now...

Think your right in away, it was to do with the refuelling rigs and equipment being taking to each race, cut that freight cost out of the team budgets. I think it was along those lines.

[Nova]

So then, whose fueling rigs do they use? Are they supplied by the track?

[Tifoso]

I was gutted when they dumped it. It can be dangerous, but the entire sport can be dangerous.

[Rob]

So then, whose fueling rigs do they use? Are they supplied by the track?

All teams used the same ones, all made by FIA approved manufacturer.

[Rob]

I was gutted when they dumped it. It can be dangerous, but the entire sport can be dangerous.

Spot on. I would like to see it back.

[Tifoso84]

I would love to have refueling back! That would make the races so much more exciting and unpredictable. Loved the days when some crazy 3 stop strategy would win the day. For example, if we would have refueling in F1 right now, then we could have so much more chances to beat the Red Cows just by using a completely different pit stop strategy.
In my opinion this safety craze is killing all the fun in F1. "Danger" is part of motor-racing and it should never be removed.

[Red passion]

In my opinion this safety craze is killing all the fun in F1. "Danger" is part of motor-racing and it should never be removed.

Danger SHOULD be kept to a minimum but surely nowadays refuelling cars could be made safe in a pit stop environment.

I agree danger is part of the sport and we cannot wrap the drivers up in cotton wool but I never want to see a weekend like Imola '94 or a team member killed for a sport.

[IceHole]

They could bring back refueling without actually having to refuel .
They would have to come in for a pit stop and have a lead plugged in which would give the management system parameters on how long the lead is plugged in for say 1 second for each virtual 10 liters and the cars with less fuel could be allowed to rev more .
This would be 100% safe and would allow for differing strategy's and also make each pit stop allow only one thing to be done .
Say to change tires only tires can be changed and if they want to refuel its a separate pit stop.
F1 Has become so boring the cars look crap compared to cars from years ago and innovation has virtually been banned F1 should take a look at formula E they seem to have the right idea on efficiency and innovation.

[Alonso14]

I was gutted when they dumped it. It can be dangerous, but the entire sport can be dangerous.

That is not a good justification. F1 is naturally dangerous so we can just dump all armco barriers, gravel traps and run-offs as well? Safety should be priority.

In my opinion this safety craze is killing all the fun in F1. "Danger" is part of motor-racing and it should never be removed.

There was moments in F1 when almost literally every race weekend there was a casualty. That "safety craze" ensures that every time you Fernando, Felipe, Kimi, whoever crash it's not the last time you see them drive in their life.

[Hermann]

Its not really approbiate anymore nowdays, where safety is one big concern in sports, to bring back something like handling explosives (fuel) in an open pitlane with lots of people standing around and all in great hurry. So i very much doubt we will see it coming back ever.

I was one of those against taking it away (and was screamed at by those who somehow hoped that against all odds it would make for better racing), but now i think it was the right decision. Driving around a track at that speed and all cars so close to each other are dangerous enough, and you can never rule out a freak accident. So for those who want to see 'danger' still being a part of the sport- it still is.

[IceHole]

My point is my post above is that refueling could be bought into the mix with Zero danger to anyone.

[WS6TransAm01]

I was gutted when they dumped it. It can be dangerous, but the entire sport can be dangerous.

Exactly!

It's motor racing, it is inherently dangerous. What the .... You want safety? Play Chess.

[Alonso14]

Exactly!

It's motor racing, it is inherently dangerous. What the .... You want safety? Play Chess.

Watch the '1' documentary. See how many drivers have lost their lives and tell me you don't want or value the safety of modern F1.

[Hermann]

Watch the '1' documentary. See how many drivers have lost their lives and tell me you don't want or value the safety of modern F1.

Some people like to see a bit of blood while having lunch.

[Ken]

Refueling is dangerous no matter where its done or when its done.

Over the years there have a few accidents during pitting but thankfully no lives lost.

However I remember only a few races ago that refueling in the garage caused a fire which could have been catastrophic for large numbers working round the and loss of very important equipment.

I doubt racing can ever be free of risk from fire whether its in the pitlane or the garage or even during the race, Niki Lauda's accident having been the worst we have seen.

[chris.gotfunk]

I don't think it's as much as a safety concern on the part of the FIA or FOM as it is trying to update themselves to the times of high costs of fuel and being eco-friendly. Wasn't that one of the major pushes to get rid of refuelling in the first place? Making more efficient racecars will improve our roadcars thus decreasing pollution and being more friendly? I am not ignoring the obvious fuel danger, but as many have said, this sport is dangerous as is all/most sports. That's why we watch these atheletes in awe of their skill, bravery, disregard for personal saftey at times, etc...
Personally, I would like to see refuelling back in the sport. Yes, it is dangerous but it leaves a little more to strategize and doesn't depend on the Pitrelli (yes, that was intentional) to be the only determining factor in cars pit strategies.