Daniel Ricciardo’s second place finish in the Australian Grand Prix is in jeopardy after his Red Bull was found to have breached the maximum fuel flow limit.

The FIA’s technical delegate Jo Bauer has referred the matter to the stewards, who will now decide whether to take action against the team.

“During the race car number 03 has exceeded consistently the maximum allowed fuel flow  of 100kg/h,” reads Bauer’s report.

“As this is not in compliance with Article 5.1.4 of the 2014 Formula One Technical Regulations, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

The FIA has the capacity to monitor fuel flow rates from the cars during races, but has a policy of only dealing with breaches after the chequered flag.

The federation had told media on Thursday that there would be “zero tolerance” over fuel breaches, indicating a possible disqualification for Ricciardo.

While the Ricciardo issue has thrown the spotlight on fuel flow rates, much of the pre-race talk in Melbourne had been about how teams would complete the race without exceeding the total 100kg fuel limit.

Ricciardo, whose car did make it within the total useage limit, said during the post-race press conference that there had been “a bit of guessing” involved in the process.

“I think at the start of the race it was a bit of guessing,” he said.

“Some laps I would try and push and not really conserve. When I thought I had enough gap I would start conserving. We were learning all the time today.

“It’s the first time we’ve done the race distance so we will take a lot out of it.

“I think the system to reach the fuel target is not bad considering we haven’t done too much work with that. I think we survived quite well.”