[MrClean335i]

"To fix the loophole, the FIA could write a rule that said: "The accelerator pedal travel will be defined as 0% (minimum) to 100% (maximum) and at any position between these two end stops the percentage torque output of the engine base torque map for the measured engine speed must match the accelerator pedal percentage +/- 1%...

"This would mean the relationship between throttle pedal position and the torque delivery must be linear.

"And the rule could finish by saying: "… and the percentage of throttle body opening must match the accelerator pedal percentage +/- 10%.

"That would mean any change in torque characteristics could not be done by just retarding the ignition - a common method of employing engine braking - while leaving the throttle open to pump air through the engine and exhausts, which is a way of using the exhausts for aerodynamic effect.

"Allowing a margin of +/- 10% provides some leeway for the characteristics of different engines, as all have different operating requirements."


Gary Anderson
F1 technical analyst

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