FIA adds fuel system elements to F1 tender process

After inviting potential suppliers to bid for Formula 1 gearbox components, brake systems and wheel rims, the FIA has opened a tender for fuel system elements for 2021.

The deadline for companies to submit bids has been set at June 15, with the governing body announcing its decision by July 15.

Like the previous tenders, the contract will cover a period starting in 2021 and concluding at the end of the 2024 season, although the FIA could add a one-year extension to the supply agreement.

• FIA initiates tenders for more standard parts in F1 from 2021

According to the FIA, the purpose of using standardized fuel system elements is to reduce costs but also to make policing of fuel usage by teams more effective.

"The aim of single source supply is to retain current levels of F1 fuel system performance for all cars at a reduced cost for the competitors whilst also removing the requirement for competitors to design or source their own fuel system components," says F1's governing body.

"The components can be carried over between seasons, which removes the need for costly continuous performance development.

"Fuel flow limitation enforcement is key to the fairness of the competition, and common fuel system components shall contribute to a fair regulation of the competition by the FIA."

Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's head of single-seater matters, says that more tenders for non-critical components are in the pipeline.

"In the rules there will be provision for certain things to be standard supply," he said. "

"There will also be exact provisions for what happens if that standard supply does not succeed, what happens then for these pieces, how do we achieve cost reduction if the standard supply fails.

"That could happen either because nobody wins the tender, or it could happen because somebody supplies something and then for whatever reason pulls out after two years and we're faced with that situation."

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