The FIA has issued a technical directive to teams in Spain aimed at clamping down on ‘trick’ fuel-flow systems which might be providing an unfair performance boost.
It’s claimed that some teams, Mercedes and Ferrari in particular, are collecting fuel by feeding more through the sensor than is necessary at that time, and then storing that excess fuel in a system ahead of the fuel injectors.
Then when a performance boost is required, they can feed that excess fuel into the fuel injectors essentially allowing them to beat the 100kg/h limit.
Ahead of the Spanish GP, the FIA issued a directive which states that the flow rate must not drop below 90kg/h, or exceed 100kg/h at any time during a race weekend.
“With immediate effect we will expect fuel pressure, in the high and low pressure systems, to remain constant above a flow rate of 90kg/hr,” wrote the FIA’s Charlie Whiting.
“We do not consider it necessary to define here what we consider constant, we feel it will be more practical to discuss any concerns we have with the relevant team(s) if and when issues arise.”
Whiting added that individual inspections would be carried out on all cars.
“We will also be carrying out careful physical inspections of all fuel systems in use.”