Amidst McLaren’s highs this season, a small hiccup could potentially jeopardize the rest of their season. An investigation into the British outfit’s fuel pumps is underway, and the FIA has asked Mercedes to send its parts over so that they can compare them to McLaren’s.
The investigation comes after McLaren’s incredible surge in performance. Having struggled over the last few seasons, the Woking-based outfit is now becoming one of F1’s strongest teams with podium finishes a regularity. They also won a race earlier this season, which was their first since 2021.
Teams are required to use a high-pressure fuel pump from a single FIA sanctioned manufacturer. So, if the FIA finds out any discrepancy, it could be due to the fact that McLaren modified it in a way that doesn’t adhere to the rulebook. Or, McLaren used another manufacturer, which seems extremely unlikely.
Pourquoi ai-je supprimer le tweet sur la pompe haute pression de McLaren ?
En réalité depuis 2021 les pompes hautes pression des équipes viennent d’un constructeur unique.
Art 5.11.6 du règlement de la FIA : « Toutes les voitures doivent être équipées d’une pompe à carburant… pic.twitter.com/5hXYcYfwtp
— Tristan Homy (@TristanHomy) June 2, 2024
Their surge in performance played a role in questions surrounding these pumps arising. But Charles Leclerc’s comments also drew attention. Following the 2024 Emilia-Romagna GP, he felt that something was off, “engine-wise“, not just with McLaren, but with Red Bull (as reported by RacingNews 365)
Red Bull suffered from fuel pump problems themselves earlier this year, but couldn’t make alterations. The current regulations state that teams have to get a designated part from FIA’s supplier. Hence, Leclerc wonders if there was any foul play in that respect. But ironically, his team was once caught in a similar controversy itself.
Ferrari was once where McLaren is now
In 2019, Ferrari’s SF-90 seemed to be the fastest car on tracks that were power-hungry. After a series of pole positions that appeared suspicious to Ferrari’s rivals, the FIA intervened, demanding an explanation for the same. An investigation followed, and the FIA found Ferrari guilty of interfering with the fuel-flow meter.
Ferrari reportedly bypassed the 100kg per hour limit of the fuel flow, allowing for greater numbers. It resulted in a better pace on the straights in almost every session.
The FIA couldn’t allow Ferrari to carry on and forced them to run on significantly less fuel in races, because of which even its customer teams suffered.
It took a lot of time for Ferrari to come out of the hole, and the Maranello-based outfit finally looks like it is back on its feet in F1. With McLaren also making improvements and Red Bull already on top, Ferrari is gearing up for a three-way tussle for the Constructors’ Championship.
