FIA: dropping Formula 1 fuel-flow limit rule would be dangerous
The FIA has rejected on safety grounds the idea of scrapping Formula 1's fuel-flow limit to avoid a repeat of the Red Bull controversy

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said on Friday that irrespective of the outcome of his team's appeal against Daniel Ricciardo's Australian Grand Prix disqualification, the sport needed to avoid repeat trouble in the future.
He suggested that perhaps the best way would be to remove the limit of 100kg/h usage for the race itself.
"We need a better way of measuring and monitoring the fuel - or get rid of it totally and say you have 100kg, that is your lot," he said.
"That would be the easiest for the FIA and the teams because the fuel flow restriction would only be qualifying, as you could not go to stupid revs in the race because you have that [100kg] limitation of fuel."
But Horner's suggestion has been rejected by the FIA, which says that detailed analysis of the implications of removing the fuel flow limit suggests it could produce dangers on track.
It argues that if there was no limit on maximum fuel use, then drivers would be lifting suddenly on straights, which could lead to collisions.
Fabrice Lom, the FIA's head of powertrain, said: "Engineers are engineers, so if you have 100kg for the race, you try to be the fastest for the race.
"If you have no fuel flow limit, the fastest thing is to use a huge boost at the beginning of the straight and then lift off.
"There will be huge and very dangerous differences of speed [between cars] on the same lap, with a driving style that is not really F1.
"It was even for us not Le Mans style - which is why we also put a limit on it for Le Mans because we were really afraid of this type of driving."

Previous article
FIA adamant fuel-flow rules are clear amid Red Bull exclusion row
Next article
Renault insists Lotus F1 team not hurt by customer status

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
FIA: dropping Formula 1 fuel-flow limit rule would be dangerous
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001