Fuel infringement may cost Red Bull

Red Bull face a showdown with the FIA’s technical gurus as Formula One’s new era began in controversial fashion.

Just over five hours after Daniel Ricciardo had thrilled his home crowd in finishing runner-up to Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg in the Australian Grand Prix on his debut for Red Bull, the 24-year-old was disqualified over a technical fuel infringement. Within minutes of the FIA’s decision being announced, the team notified motor sport’s governing body of their intention to appeal.

The latest set of regulations, to accommodate the introduction of the new 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged power units and the various accompanying energy-saving devices, are highly complicated and technical.