Verstappen would support F1 refuelling for flat out racing

Max Verstappen says he’d back the return of refuelling in Formula 1 if it meant races would be “flat out” fights rather than being dominated by fuel and tyre conservation strategies.

FIA President Jean Todt has led calls to assess the possibility of seeing refuelling in races return to F1 as part of the wider 2021 rules shake-up.

Quizzed about refuelling in races, which was last used in F1 in 2009, Verstappen says he’s open to the prospect if it aids racing action by allowing more varied strategies including letting drivers push for entire races.

“Yes, why not? I prefer to go flat out over saving tyres,” Verstappen said on the prospect of refuelling in F1. “In Austria we went flat out.

“It will differ over some races. I don't know whether F1 will improve when we reintroduce refuelling.”

Refuelling was initially ruled out in F1 as a cost-saving measure while many also felt it created racing where overtakes were only completed when drivers pitted rather than encouraging on-track passing.

Valtteri Bottas echoed Verstappen’s comments during the British Grand Prix weekend but felt the key advantage would be lighter F1 cars with refuelling. Each F1 car is allowed up to 105kg of fuel for each race with many drivers forced into fuel management measures.

“As long as the cars are lighter it’s always going to be better for everything, for racing, tyres, everything so whatever can be done for the weight is always going to be a bonus and we’re going to enjoy it more, everyone’s going to enjoy it more,” Bottas said.