Federal tender for standard flow meter in 2021

We will remember that this was one of the components placed in the spotlight last year when suspicions were growing more and more pressing around the engine Ferrari. 

The flow meter, whose role is to monitor compliance with the fuel flow limit of V6 turbo hybrids set at 100 kg/h, must be one of the standardized parts from next season. 

The decision was already recorded in the 2021 regulations unveiled at the end of October 2019 in Austin. Article 5.11.3 then specified that “ all of the fuel entering the power unit must pass through this approved sensor before being distributed into the combustion chambers by the injectors described in Article 5.11.2 ».

After a far from innocent request for clarification from Red Bull, the FIA ​​had distributed a technical directive aimed at improving the control of fuel flow with the addition of a second flow meter planned for 2020. The measure is intended to be renewed in 2021. 

In its call for tenders, the FIA ​​specifies that the standard flow meter must weigh 400 g at most, occupy a maximum volume of 500 cm3, and offer a useful life of 400 hours, including 100 before being reconditioned, all with an autonomy of 5 hours without interruption. The price of the device must not exceed 5 pounds sterling (000 euros) and maintenance every 5 hours must be limited to 900 pounds sterling (100 euros).

The federation reserves the right not to respond to this new call for tenders or to extend it to the 2024 and 2025 seasons. If a single supplier is chosen, the stables of F1 must communicate the quantities of flow meters desired for 2021 by May 1, 2020, before placing their firm order by September 1, 2020.