Formula 1 revamp must wait to 2017 as early revolution rejected

AUTOSPORT has learned that a meeting of the F1 commission in Geneva on Tuesday did not back plans for a rapid overhaul of car regulations that would have resulted in wider cars, bigger tyres and bodywork revisions for 2016.

It is unclear how the vote was split, but there was known to be divided opinion among teams before the meeting about the timetable for making changes.

While some outfits wanted the new rules in place for next year, others preferred that F1 wait until 2017 - when the changes could come on tap at the same time as a potential power hike to 1000bhp and all-new tyre tender contract.

According to sources, it was agreed that it would be better to spend more time working through fully concrete proposals for 2017 that would definitely make an improvement rather than rush things.

The failure of the F1 commission to agree on rule changes at the Geneva meeting means there is now almost no hope of them happening before 2017.

That is because Tuesday's meeting was viewed as the last chance for any rule tweaks to be introduced with majority support.

Under new F1 regulations introduced this year, after March 1 any alterations to next year's regulations requires unanimous support from the teams - something that is highly unlikely to be found.

The most likely path now is for teams to try to come up with regulations this year that can be approved in time to be added to the 2017 rulebook.

Ahead of the Geneva meeting, Ferrari had issued images of a concept car design that it hoped would fuel debate about the need for a dramatic overhaul of the look of grand prix challengers.

It claimed that the radical new look could be achieved with only a minimal change to the current regulations.