Formula 1 chiefs have formally canned the idea of refuelling coming back to the sport in 2017, Motorsport.com has learned.

The idea of refuelling came up in a May meeting of F1's Strategy Group as part of an effort to try to improve the spectacle and make cars faster.

However, as Motorsport.com revealed last month, the idea stalled when detailed analysis of the implications of a return of refuelling showed that it could impact negatively on the sport.

Although Ferrari subsequently made clear that it was still in favour of the concept, discussion at last week's Strategy Group meeting delivered a consensus that the idea should be dropped.

Despite the speed benefit of having cars quicker in the race, the fear was that refuelling would be bad for racing as it wouldaudiences who have just been watching TV, and then suddenly, when these people go online, they see an article in Novaya Gazeta, or from the BBC, they open their eyes, and a thorough discussion begins. When people go on YouTube and listen to the radio, it is no longer possible to ignore it. When it suddenly hits the national agenda – only then the authorities begin to respond.

Video: In 2014, Pavel Kanygin was taken hostage by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and released for a ransom. In 2015, he was again detained and beaten by the separatists’ security service.

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