Todt wants F1 to consider reintroducing refuelling in 2021 changes

Motor racing's governing body is working with teams and Formula 1 owners Liberty Media on a raft of new rules for the 2021 season, designed to simplify cars while also making the racing closer.

Speaking to British media at Silverstone ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix, Todt said one of the things he wanted to evaluate was whether the return of refuelling should form part of the new rules package.

Refuelling was banned ahead of the 2010 season due to concerns from F1 chiefs about both its costs and the safety implications.

Todt said: "Personally, I would like to see refuelling, but I am happy to see a study on the positives and negatives.

"Cars are probably becoming a bit too heavy. That is something we discussed.

"I am pushing for analysing what it would mean if we reintroduced refuelling because if you reintroduce refuelling then you will have lighter cars at the start of the race and you can have smaller cars."

Cost reduction is a major aim of the 2021 changes, but a return of refuelling would appear to contradict this as teams would need to buy new equipment.

Todt was sceptical about such concerns, though, adding: "When I hear it will be more expensive it makes me smile.

"When I see the size of the [teams'] motorhomes I don't think it is the price that will be the killer to introducing it."