No sooner had Ferrari began biting into Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes lead in the championships, the Italian team scoring a run of five poles and three wins, than questions arose over the legality of its engine, in particular the fuel flow.

Despite the Maranello outfit's insistence that all was above board, as the FIA issued directive after directive, so too the team began to drop back form the Silver Arrows and into the clutches of Red Bull.

In a bid to prevent a repeat of the situation, whilst also seeking to reduce costs, the FIA has invited companies to tender for the supply of a standard fuel flow meter for the 2021 - 2023 seasons, with the option to extend until 2025.

The tender relates to Article 5.11.3 of the 2021 regulations, which states that: "All cars must be fitted with a single fuel flow meter, wholly within the fuel tank, which has been manufactured by the single supplier appointed by the FIA World Motor Sport Council to a specification determined by the FIA.

"This sensor may only be used as specified by the FIA Technical Department. Furthermore, all fuel delivered to the power unit must pass through this homologated sensor, and must all be delivered to the combustion chambers by the fuel injectors described by Article 5.11.2.

"The FIA issued a Technical Directive (TD/042-19) in 2019 to improve policing regarding fuel flow measurement and has mandated a second fuel flow meter for the 2020 season.

"There are now two sensors fitted at the same time on the car and this will likely remain in place for 2021 and beyond, although this could be reviewed by the FIA at its sole discretion."

With the deadline for submissions set at 13 March, the weekend of the 2020 season opener in Melbourne, the FIA says its decision will be announced in mid-April.

In terms of costs, the FIA says: "It shall not exceed £5000 with a warranty of 100 hours running time. The service cost for any 100 extra hours of running time shall not exceed £500. The lifetime of the fuel flow meter shall, in any circumstances, not be less than 400 hours".

"Limits have been set for the 2020 season of the championship: (a) eight for the first sensor; (b) four for the second sensor. Those limits will likely remain for the 2021 season of the championship and may be reviewed by the FIA at its sole discretion," adds the invitation to tender.

Stating that the maximum weight of the meter must be 400g, the winning supplier must also loan the FIA seven units free of charge for testing purposes.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by TokyoAussie, 10/02/2020 4:05

"This is my longest-running pet peeve. Differences in fuel flow rate is the one sure way to give a driver a method of passing "on the track". As long as the car starts the race with less than a specified maximum of fuel, let the teams use that fuel however they want. I cannot think of a simpler method of spicing up the racing, and it would literally cost nothing."

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2. Posted by NS Biker, 10/02/2020 3:39

"To start with, I, like many others hate the concept of a limit on fuel flow rate, but the logic behind it is brilliant. It effectively limits power output, equalizes all engines across the board and for the most part, kills the idea of engine development. The only area that the manufacturers have for improvement is efficiency, and they have done amazing work in that area.
Interesting features embedded in the FIA tender doc.
1. A limit of 8 and 4 for the number of sensors.
Saw a note early in 2019 (C Horner I believe) that teams would buy up to 100 Fuel Flow Sensors so they could test them and find the best. Bin the others. Not sure it is true, but it is a logical approach. The limit on numbers will stop that.
2. No indication where the second sensor will go.
This is probably to stop the teams building surge capacity within the fuel delivery system. Will be interesting to see where the second sensor is installed. Looking for the Italian translation of "at the distribution manifold".
3. Duration of contract
Much to the dismay of many, extending this out to 2025 implies that they won't be changing engine architecture much over the next 5 years.
Will it stop the cheats ... everyone is going to be looking for ways to eeek out every last ml of fuel flow. Higher rate means more power. "

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3. Posted by Superbird70, 08/02/2020 18:57

"I think what you need to do is allow unrestricted fuel flow but restrict total fuel volumes."

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4. Posted by Wokingchap, 08/02/2020 18:49

"Lets hope this does stop the cheats."

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5. Posted by KKK, 08/02/2020 17:58

"Honestly! How does this make the RACING better? Its not an endurance race, its F1 !"

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FIA invites tenders for standard fuel flow meter

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