Technical Directive 01614 (1 March 2014) provides the methodology by
which the sensor will be used, and, should the sensor fail, the method by which
the alternate model could be used.
a. The Technical Directive starts by stating: “The homologated fuel flow
sensor will be the primary measurement of the fuel flow and will be used to check
compliance with Articles 5.1.4 and 5.1.5 of the F1 Technical Regulations...” This
is in conformity with Articles 5.10.3 and 5.10.4 of the Technical Regulations.
b. The Technical Directive goes on to state: “If at any time WE consider that
the sensor has an issue which has not been detected by the system WE will
communicate this to the team concerned and switch to a backup system”
(emphasis added.)
c. The backup system is the calculated fuel flow model with a correction
factor decided by the FIA.
9) The FIA technical representative observed thought the telemetry during
the race that the fuel flow was too high and contacted the team, giving them the
opportunity to follow his previous instruction, and reduce the fuel flow such that it
was within the limit, as measured by the homologated sensor – and thus gave the
team the opportunity to be within compliance. The team chose not to make this
correction.
10) Under Art. 3.2 of the Sporting Regulations it is the duty of the team to
ensure compliance with the Technical Regulations throughout the Event.
Thus the Stewards find that:
A) The team chose to run the car using their fuel flow model, without
direction from the FIA. This is a violation of the procedure within TD/ 01614.
B) That although the sensor showed a difference in readings between runs
in P1, it remains the homologated and required sensor against which the team is
obliged to measure their fuel flow, unless given permission by the FIA to do
otherwise.
C) The Stewards were satisfied by the explanation of the technical
representative that by making an adjustment as instructed, the team could have
run within the allowable fuel flow.
D) That regardless of the team’s assertion that the sensor was fault, it is not
within their discretion to run a different fuel flow measurement method without the
permission of the FIA
) volio bih objašnjenje tog pravila.
