Formula One bosses have agreed to bring back refuelling in 2017 as part of the drive to make the sport more exciting.
Refuelling was dropped from the sport at the end of 2009 due to spiralling costs but looks set to return in a bid to spice up the spectacle. The FIA will also aim to achieve a "five or six seconds drop" in lap times through aerodynamic rules revolution, wider tyres and reduction of car weight, as well as creating a "higher revving engines and increased noise".
Another big change put forward would give teams free reign to choose two dry tyre compounds (from the current four) ahead of a race weekend for 2016, rather than the decision being made by Pirelli ahead of a grand prix. The engine rules, which saw the introduction of turbo hybrid engines and a fuel restriction last year, will remain stable to give clarity for any potential new manufacturers who may be considering entering the sport.
The changes were agreed at Thursday's meeting of the F1 Strategy Group at Biggin Hill, which comprises six teams (Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Williams and Force India), FIA president Jean Todt and commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone. The proposals put forward by the Strategy Group still need to be ratified by the F1 Commission and then the World Motorsport Council later this year.
Improving the spectacle has been high on F1's agenda since the beginning of the V6 turbo era last year, with a widespread backlash to the quieter noise generated by the new power units. It came in the middle of dwindling TV and live audiences and a failure to engage with a younger generation of fans through new media.
The most pressing issue surrounding the current season was the introduction of a fifth engine, but as expected this was voted against after meeting opposition from Mercedes' customer teams. This means the prospect of imminent engine penalties for the likes of Red Bull and Toro Rosso.
Cost-cutting was also on the agenda, and the Strategy Group says a "comprehensive proposal to ensure the sustainability of the sport has emerged". The initial press release did not go into further details on that point but did say it would be in consultation with other teams involved in the championship - a reference to Lotus, Toro Rosso, Sauber and Manor, who are not represented in the Strategy Group.
The FIA will also investigate measures to remove electronic aids for drivers at race starts, as well as having a "global reflection" on the current format of grand prix weekends.
The changes were laid out in the governing body's press release as follows:
For 2016:
- Free choice of the two dry tyre compounds (out of four) that each team can use during the race weekend
For 2017:
- Faster cars: 5 to 6 seconds drop in laptimes through aerodynamic rules evolution, wider tyres and reduction of car weight
- Reintroduction of refuelling (maintaining a maximum race fuel allowance)
- Higher revving engines and increased noise
- More aggressive looks
A few other measures have also been discussed but require further investigation before they can be implemented:
- A global reflection on race weekend format
- Measures to make starts only activated by the driver without any outside assistance