Plan for Formula 1 refuelling return puzzles Manor's Graeme Lowdon
Manor sporting director Graeme Lowdon does not understand why refuelling is set to make a comeback in Formula 1 in 2017
Refuelling was banned from 2009 as the sport looked to remove the high cost of transporting the equipment around the world and improve safety.
But it was one of the measures the Strategy Group voted in favour of reinstating in a push to improve the overall show for fans.
Although drivers have backed the plan for its return, Lowdon thinks it is the wrong move.
"The last time we had refuelling, everyone complained no one overtook on track until there was a pitstop," Lowdon told AUTOSPORT.
"Nobody could work out what was going on during the grand prix.
"There were also issues with safety and issues with cost.
"If it was stopped for those reasons why would you do it again?"
TEAMS SHOULD HAVE SAY IN MAKING THE RULES
Lowdon also disagreed with comments from Red Bull's Christian Horner and Toro Rosso's Franz Tost that teams should not have a say in how the sport is run.
Horner suggested it will always be difficult for all teams to agree on a set of rules because they have their own individual interests to protect and Tost agreed, suggesting it is up to the FIA and Formula One Management to make the rules.
However, Lowdon said: "I don't subscribe to comments that teams shouldn't be involved.
"I think teams could contribute something but at present, not all teams are in a position to contribute fully.
"The most important thing is to provide a forum where there is a growth strategy and I see no reason why people can't contribute to that.
"Yes it is difficult but strategy is not easy. Anyone running a large international company will say the evaluation and formation of strategies of growth consumes time and is a difficult process.
"Why should it be any easier in a sport like F1? It's difficult but it's vitally important."
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