Among them is the cars now start with a maximum 100 kilograms of fuel, as
opposed to 140-150kg in previous seasons, and operate with a fuel-flow rate
of no more than 100kg per hour.
Ricciardo’s car, however, was found to consistently exceed that rate during
the race.
In layman’s terms, the fuel-flow rate is monitored by an FIA meter,
manufactured by Gill Sensors, who are based in Lymington, Hampshire.
Following Ricciardo’s disqualification, on his debut for Red Bull after being
promoted from Toro Rosso as replacement for Mark Webber, team principal
Christian Horner claimed the sensors were “unreliable”.
Horner stated there was an issue with the sensor that changed its reading
through Friday practice, which was replaced on Saturday but failed during
qualifying.
Red Bull, of their own volition, chose to use their own sensor to determine
the fuel-flow rate which had not been cleared by the FIA.
FIA technical director Charlie Whiting confirmed Red Bull were warned against
doing so, both after qualifying and again five laps into the race, but chose
to ignore the directive.
Addressing his team’s actions, Horner said on Sunday: “These fuel-flow sensors
that have been fitted by the FIA have proved problematic throughout the pit
lane since the start of testing.
“There have been discrepancies in them, even unreliable. We had a fuel-flow
sensor fitted to the car that we believe to be in error.
“We wouldn’t be appealing if we weren’t extremely confident we have a
defendable case.”
Red Bull will now have to prove the FIA sensor was defective and that their
own device was not in error.
Earlier this week Gill Sensors issued a statement claiming the FIA had
provided them “with positive feedback” about their equipment that is based
on ultrasonic technology.
The statement added the FIA further confirmed “their confidence in the
development” and the meters “meet the FIA’s accuracy specification”.
Horner, though, slated the system as “immature technology” and that it was
“impossible to rely (on it) 100 per cent”.
Pending the outcome of the appeal, the race result, with McLaren duo Kevin
Magnussen and Jenson Button promoted to second and third behind Rosberg,
remains provisional.