Analysis: Why Formula 1 2017 rules meeting will be fraught

It is now eight months since the Strategy Group proudly declared plans for "faster cars and thrilling races" from '17 via a range of technical proposals.

It is understood a rules package was close to being signed off towards the end of last season.

Then a spanner was thrown in the works regarding the planned increase in downforce at a technical meeting in December.

Concerns were expressed that while a higher level of downforce would improve laptimes, the offset would likely be lower grip and even more difficulty in overtaking.

Eight of the 11 teams agreed on a revised solution at that meeting but despite that hint of common ground, a number of teams have been working on alternative ideas - which some have described as 'middle-of-the-road' solutions.

This is set to further muddy the waters. One insider expressed a fear "things are going to get messier before they get better".

Throw in the fact the March 1 deadline for when the rules are supposed to be in place is fast approaching, and the pressure is growing to find answers.

Beyond that date changes to the regulations for '17 need unanimous agreement, and that history suggests that is virtually impossible in F1 with so many agendas at work.

Another key area for discussion is the FIA's plan to introduce cockpit protection, hopefully from 2017.

After years of research the FIA will be proposing the Mercedes-designed 'halo' as the way forward.

But again there may well be problems, with suggestions teams may prefer a freedom in design over a universal, FIA-approved, solution.

This would naturally mean the FIA needing to test each in its own right for strength and suitability.

Discussions are also planned around the proposals that emerged from the recent Strategy Group and F1 Commission meetings in Geneva.

Engines are foremost among those. With the independent engine idea shelved, a way forward was agreed with regard to the cost and supply of power units.

From 2018, the four engine manufacturers must supply customers with engines for €12million per annum, which means cuts of €8-13m on the prices they charge at present.

This in itself proposes its own technical difficulties given the money that must be saved, as does the fact that from '18 each car may be permitted to use just three gearboxes per season.

One other item on the agenda will be another look into weight saving.

The increases in tyre size and wheel width for 2017 will mean a weight increase of around 10kg.

The FIA is keen to offset that with cuts elsewhere, but the teams are arguing to do so means an increase in costs.

With so many points of potential disagreement, Williams technical chief Pat Symonds recently suggested postponing the rules revamp to 2018 would be wise - though he acknowledged this was highly unlikely.

No formal press release is expected after the meeting.