Formula 1 refuelling return killed off

The idea of refuelling came up in a May meeting of F1's Strategy Group as part of an effort to try to improve the spectacle and make cars faster.

However, as Motorsport.com revealed last month, the idea stalled when detailed analysis of the implications of a return of refuelling showed that it could impact negatively on the sport.

Although Ferrari subsequently made clear that it was still in favour of the concept, discussion at last week's Strategy Group meeting delivered a consensus that the idea should be dropped.

Despite the speed benefit of having cars quicker in the race, the fear was that refuelling would be bad for racing as it would encourage all teams to run the same strategies.

2017 car developments on track

F1 teams also agreed to ramp up work on preparing the new faster and more challenging cars for 2017.

The FIA has approved a concession to allow teams to devote extra CFD capacity until July 20 to work on the 2017 concepts.

Information gathered from this will then be given to the governing body for a presentation of formal ideas. Particular focus will be put on ensuring that any changes to the cars do not jeopardise overtaking.

The hope is that the next big step in finalising the ideas can be prepared at the next F1 Strategy Group meeting in September.

Customer car talks on hold

Although discussions about customer cars dominated Strategy Group meetings earlier this year, the idea has now been put on hold.

Despite the need for there to be a contingency plan if grid numbers do fall, teams agreed that there was no need to aggressively push forward with the concept for now.