Fuel flow

Have we just seen a master stroke by Merc ?

Recently , we heard that Red Bull asked about disrupting fuel flow meters and was told "no can do" .
It was then noticed that Ferrari seemingly were slower , prompting Max to remark that they weren't cheating any more .
When Max was ahead the next race , Seb was heard to remark about Red Bull perhaps cheating .

Now , it seems , fuel system elements from both Ferrari and Honda have been confiscated for close scrutiny .

Apparently , it was Merc that did the research behind the allegation in the first place , but they declined to take it to the FIA , themselves .

Nice move . No protest , yet two rivals dealing with investigation distractions .

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Originally Posted by Bagwan

Apparently , it was Merc that did the research behind the allegation in the first place , but they declined to take it to the FIA , themselves .

Nice move . No protest , yet two rivals dealing with investigation distractions .

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With the constructor's championship and first and second in the drivers' sewn up, Mercedes doesn't really have any rivals this season any more. Maybe that's why they didn't lodge a protest themselves.

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Originally Posted by gm99

With the constructor's championship and first and second in the drivers' sewn up, Mercedes doesn't really have any rivals this season any more. Maybe that's why they didn't lodge a protest themselves.

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You're right about that , but it seems that all will be allowed to "run what they brung" for this last outing , as the FIA has said that they will be introducing a new fuel flow meter into the mix for next year , but not next race .

It sounds to me like they've had this info in their pocket for a while , to use if needed , but only brought it out close to the end , in prankish style , to get some use out of money spent .
Any distraction is time away from next year's design , so you even score by getting someone else to protest .

I want to note , though , that there was no protest , but rather a cheeky question from Red Bull about whether it would be OK to screw with the existing meter .
The question , being cheeky , was likely what prompted Max to bring up the notion of red cars cheating , which prompted Seb to remark about Red Bull cheating , which got both Honda and Ferrari stuff confiscated .

I see a scenario where Toto approaches Christian , and says "Here's your proof " , handing him a manila envelope , "but don't bother to protest now , this late . Just ask a cheeky question about screwing with flow meters ."