Why does Grosjean want a return of re-fueling in F1?

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Romain Grosjean agrees with Lewis Hamilton's view that Formula 1 is not physically taxing enough, but the Haas driver has a suggestion on how to make race day more demanding for drivers.

Hamilton recently stated that Grand Prix racing was no longer the physical challenge it used to be, insisting F1 should be "a man's sport" where drivers are left exhausted after their Sunday drive.

Grosjean is on the same page as the five-time world champion, and claims that a stint of high-level karting which he recently experienced left him more drained than two hours of racing in F1!

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"I recently ran a go-kart race with friends, 125cc with a gearshift, and I was more tired than after a Formula 1 Grand Prix," said the Frenchman, speaking to Ekstra Bladet.

"Why? Because you are pushing all the time and you don’t have to save fuel.

"Today, we need to save fuel. Next and most important, we have to look after the tyres all the time.

"In Barcelona, it felt like we were driving at 50% of the car’s capacity. Therefore it is not difficult.

"If the race was like qualifying and we could squeeze the car the same way every lap, our necks would be totally fucked in the end.

"We would be tired and our focus would disappear.

"But when we constantly get off the gas to save fuel and tyres, where is it tiring for the body and mind? These are the two main points."

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Grosjean's solution to overwork drivers on race day? Bring back re-fueling which was banned in F1 in 2010.

"What we need are cars that we must push – and a return to re-fuelling so we don’t have to run around with 100kg at the start but only 30-40kg," he said.

"Then we would be a few seconds faster, if not more, and it would be harder."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.