Inside the FIA’s Approach to Torque Sensors

Torque sensors are becoming increasingly common at the highest levels of motorsport, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans which takes place this weekend. Mounted on the driveshaft, these devices measure torque and generate information on power output and energy usage, helping series organisers to keep tabs on car performance.

Le Mans requires each vehicle in the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes to be fitted with a torque sensor. The sensor relays data to the the FIA which collects and monitors it, and then investigates cases where the numbers exceed what has been allowed in the Balance of Performance, in terms of maximum power and energy per stint. Torque sensors have been introduced in a handful of categories and the FIA is keen to see how the technology can be further developed.

‘The torque sensor is a very important tool to balance the cars,’ says FIA chief technical and safety officer, Xavier Mestelan Pinon. ‘The power of the engine is a critical point for that. This is why we work with our supplier [MagCanica] since a long time in a few championships. It concerns the WEC, but we are working with such sensors in Formula E, Formula 1 and, in the very near future, cross country.

‘To do that, we work with the mapping of the engine. We are using the dyno for that. Regarding all the atmospheric conditions [and] a lot of [other] factors, it is more or less impossible to be very accurate. Especially in WEC, [the torque sensor] is the best way to have the right frequency regarding what we are looking for, in terms of Balance of Performance. Clearly, the main reason is to balance cars. Or, in other championships, to understand what is happening on the track.

‘The main parameters to balance the cars, which we did with [Le Mans organiser the] ACO, is the aerodynamic capabilities for each car, the power and the weight. For power, if you can measure it properly, [using a torque sensor] is the best way to achieve our goal.’

MagCanica is the predominant torque sensor supplier in motorsport and its FIA-homologated technology is explored in our FREE Le Mans 2024 digital magazine. The American company is the sole supplier of FIA World Endurance Championship cars on a de facto basis, considering the federation hasn’t yet launched a tender process for torque sensor supply in that series. However, the FIA hopes other companies will seek to enter the market and drive the development of torque sensor technology. This is partly due to the different…