APRIL 4, 2014

FIA clamps down on fuel sensor modification

The FIA has moved to end the problems with its new mandatory fuel flow sensor, supplied by a British company called Gill.

The FIA has moved to end the problems with its new mandatory fuel flow sensor, supplied by a British company called Gill.

Red Bull, whose Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified over the matter in Melbourne, has been highly critical of the sensor, arguing it is not reliable.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims that '95 per cent' of all the problems with the sensor up and down pitlane in 2014 have been in Renault-powered cars.

It is suspected that after-market modifications made to the sensor to suit the installation of the Renault 'power unit' have been causing the problems.

So the German report said the FIA has reacted by instructing teams that, as from the Spanish grand prix in mid May, the sensors must be installed exactly as they are supplied by Gill.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt claims that if the problems persist beyond Barcelona, attention will turn to the fuel being used by the Renault-powered teams.

It is believed that, although sponsored by the Spanish fuel company Cepsa, Renault-powered Toro Rosso actually uses the same fuel as Red Bull and Lotus, supplied by Total.

(GMM)