The F1 Strategy Group has discussed increasing the cars’ power output to 1000bhp by 2017.
Although Marussia’s attempt to race in 2015 getting blocked was the biggest story coming out of yesterday’s meeting in Paris, Autosport reports that there was support for changing the technical regulations over 2016 and into 2017 to try and improve the spectacle. Higher engine power through less conservative fuel allowances, more downforce, and wider rear tyres are all being considered to try and take the sport back to its more outrageous turbocharged era in the 1980s, which had all three of these and is looked on fondly by fans as a classic period. The cars' aesthetics are also being considered, after a couple of years of awkward-looking, much-mocked nose designs.
It is understood that no firm plans were made at the meeting, but that the rule changes would need more time to work out a cost-effective solution. A source told Autosport that “what might come in for 2016 are the wider rear tyres and the amendments to bodywork to suit that.” Hopes are that the plans will be advanced enough by the next F1 Commission meeting on February 18th so that revised rules can be implemented for the 2016 season.
