F1 Fuel Flow Meter Lawsuit, Sentronics Sues Allengra Over Patent Infringement Ahead of the US Grand Prix

On October 16, 2026, Sentronics Holdings Limited, the FIA’s fuel flow meter supplier from 2018 to 2025, sued its successor Allengra GmbH in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (Case No. 1:26-cv-02927). Sentronics alleges that Allengra’s ultrasonic fuel flow meters infringe U.S. Patent No. 11,391,609. It seeks damages, a permanent injunction and a jury trial. No court has found infringement, no injunction has been issued, and the FIA and F1 teams are not defendants.

Sentronics v. Allengra: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Case name	Sentronics Holdings Limited v. Allengra GmbH
Case number	1:26-cv-02927
Court	U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Filed	October 16, 2026
Plaintiff	Sentronics Holdings Limited (FIA fuel flow meter supplier, 2018–2025)
Defendant	Allengra GmbH (FIA supplier for 2026–2030)
Patent	U.S. Patent No. 11,391,609 (“the ‘609 patent”), granted July 19, 2022
Laws cited	35 U.S.C. § 271(a), (b) and (c)
Relief sought	Permanent injunction, damages (lost profits or royalties), up to treble damages for alleged willfulness, jury trial
Emergency order (TRO) sought?	No, according to reporting on the complaint
FIA or F1 teams named as defendants?	No
Nature of case	Patent dispute between two companies. Not a class action. No claim form or settlement

The public federal docket lists the complaint with two exhibits, a patent/trademark notice (AO 120), a Rule 7 disclosure statement and a request for issuance of summons, all filed October 16, 2026. It records a jury demand by Sentronics.

1. What Is Sentronics Alleging Against Allengra GmbH?

According to PlanetF1’s report on the complaint, Sentronics alleges that Allengra:

• Directly infringes the ‘609 patent by making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing ultrasonic fuel flow measurement devices in the United States (§ 271(a)).
• Induces and contributes to infringement by F1 teams and the FIA, who use the devices at U.S. races, including the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the Miami Grand Prix and the Las Vegas Grand Prix (§ 271(b), (c)).
• Infringes willfully, because Allengra allegedly had notice of the patent family since at least August 2025, when Sentronics reportedly sent written notice about its European counterpart, EP 3 449 221 B1. Sentronics also reportedly sent a U.S. demand letter in April 2026.
• Sells “Accused Products” beyond F1, including variants marketed for WEC, IMSA and WSBK, and markets them to UAV, aviation, marine and general automotive customers.

The complaint also alleges that Sentronics’ own late-2024 lab testing showed Allengra’s devices use the same phase-modulation method, and that Allengra’s U.S. counsel disputed the claims without offering a technical non-infringement defense. These are allegations. Allengra has not been shown to have infringed anything, and its response is not yet public.

2. What Does U.S. Patent No. 11,391,609 Cover?

The ‘609 patent was granted on July 19, 2022. It names Andrew Cawte and Jamie Nathaniel Jones as inventors. It describes a fuel flow meter that sends phase-modulated ultrasonic signals in opposite directions through a fluid path and uses the difference in their travel times to calculate flow.

A patent does not cover every ultrasonic fuel meter. Only the claims define the protected invention. The court must decide what the asserted claims mean and whether the accused meters meet every claim limitation. Allengra can also challenge whether the claims are valid.

3. Timeline: From the FIA Tender to the Federal Lawsuit

Date	Development
2017	Sentronics’ patent application filed
2018–2025	Sentronics serves as the FIA’s exclusive fuel flow meter supplier
July 19, 2022	‘609 patent granted
November 2023	FIA opens the 2026–2030 fuel flow meter tender
November 2024	Allengra wins the contract
Late 2024	Sentronics’ lab testing of Allengra devices (per the complaint)
August 2025	Sentronics’ notice about the European counterpart patent (per the complaint)
September 17, 2025	FIA acknowledges Sentronics’ notification (per the complaint)
April 2026	Sentronics’ U.S. demand letter (per the complaint)
October 16, 2026	Lawsuit filed in the Western District of Texas

4. Why Does the Fuel Flow Meter Matter Under the FIA 2026 Technical Regulations?

The FIA uses a standard, homologated fuel flow meter so it can verify that no car exceeds the permitted fuel energy flow. The 2026 power-unit rules set a fuel energy flow cap of 3,000 megajoules per hour, and the FIA technical regulations require fuel delivered to the engine to pass through the prescribed meter. The current regulations are published in the FIA 2026 Technical Regulations, Section C.

A patent claim is not a rules violation. The lawsuit does not allege that Allengra’s meters read inaccurately or that any team broke fuel flow limits. FIA homologation also does not decide whether a supplier infringes someone else’s patent. These are separate legal questions.

5. Which Patent Laws Apply in Sentronics v. Allengra?

Law	What it does	Why it matters here
35 U.S.C. § 271(a)	Direct infringement: making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing a patented invention in the U.S. without authority	Core claim against Allengra
35 U.S.C. § 271(b)	Liability for actively inducing infringement	Requires proof Allengra knew the induced acts infringe (Global-Tech Appliances v. SEB, 563 U.S. 754 (2011)). A good-faith belief the patent is invalid is not a defense to inducement (Commil USA v. Cisco, 575 U.S. 632 (2015))
35 U.S.C. § 271(c)	Contributory infringement: selling a component especially made for use in a patented invention, with no substantial non-infringing use	Alleged as to teams’ use of the meters
35 U.S.C. § 281	Right to bring a civil action for patent infringement	Basis for the suit
35 U.S.C. § 283	Courts may grant injunctions under equitable principles	A permanent injunction is not automatic. The court applies the four-factor test in eBay v. MercExchange, 547 U.S. 388 (2006)
35 U.S.C. § 284	Damages adequate to compensate, at least a reasonable royalty; courts may increase damages up to three times	Enhancement is discretionary and reserved for egregious conduct (Halo Electronics v. Pulse Electronics, 579 U.S. 93 (2016)). It is a request, not a finding
35 U.S.C. § 285	Attorneys’ fees in “exceptional” cases	Possible, not routine
35 U.S.C. § 286	Six-year limit on recovering damages	The ‘609 patent issued in July 2022, so this limit is not the main constraint
35 U.S.C. § 287(a)	Damages generally run only from when the infringer had notice (or the patentee marked its products); filing suit is itself notice	Central to the “back to 2022” damages claim. When Allengra received legally sufficient notice of the U.S. patent will likely be disputed, because the August 2025 notice reportedly concerned the European counterpart
35 U.S.C. § 154(a)	Patent grants the right to exclude others	Rights are territorial and limited to the patent term and U.S. conduct

6. Why Was the Lawsuit Filed in the Western District of Texas?

• Jurisdiction: federal district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over patent cases (28 U.S.C. § 1338(a)), and appeals go to the Federal Circuit (28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(1)).
• Venue: the patent venue statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1400(b), limits suits against U.S. defendants (TC Heartland v. Kraft, 581 U.S. 258 (2017)). But a foreign company such as Allengra, a German GmbH, may generally be sued in any district under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(c)(3) (Brunette Machine Works v. Kockum, 406 U.S. 706 (1972)). Austin is also where the United States Grand Prix is held.
• Service: serving a German company usually follows Rule 4(f) and 4(h)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, commonly through the Hague Service Convention, which can take months.

Allengra may still raise procedural defenses, including personal jurisdiction.

7. What Happens Next in the Sentronics Patent Case?

1. Service and response. The standard response deadline is 21 days after service. If Allengra waives formal service under Rule 4(d), it generally has 90 days when the request was sent outside the U.S.
2. Early motions. Allengra may move to dismiss or transfer, or challenge the willfulness and inducement allegations.
3. Inter partes review (IPR). Allengra may petition the Patent Trial and Appeal Board to review the ‘609 patent’s validity. The petition must be filed within one year after service of the complaint (35 U.S.C. §§ 311, 315(b)).
4. Claim construction. The judge decides what the claim terms mean (Markman v. Westview Instruments, 517 U.S. 370 (1996)).
5. Discovery. This may include Allengra’s firmware and design documents.
6. Trial or settlement. Sentronics demanded a jury. Patent cases often settle or license before trial.
7. Appeal. To the Federal Circuit.

No schedule or judge assignment appeared on the docket I retrieved, which was last updated October 16, 2026. Check PACER for updates.

8. Does the Lawsuit Affect the United States Grand Prix or the FIA Contract?

Not at this time. Sentronics is not seeking a temporary restraining order. It asks for a permanent injunction at the end of the case, against making, using, selling, importing, supplying or supporting the accused products in the U.S. Unless a court orders otherwise, the meters stay in the cars and the race goes ahead.

If Sentronics eventually won, a remedy could range from damages and a royalty to a narrower or broader injunction, a redesign or a licensing settlement. Those are possibilities, not outcomes. The lawsuit also does not cancel the FIA’s supply contract with Allengra.

9. What Defenses Could Allengra Raise?

Allengra has not made a public filing yet, so these are common patent defenses, not stated positions:

• Non-infringement: the meters do not practice one or more claim limitations.
• Invalidity: prior art or other statutory grounds, in court or through IPR.
• No inducement or contributory infringement: lack of knowledge, intent or a non-staple component.
• Notice and damages limits under § 287(a) and the rules on enhanced damages.
• Territorial limits: a U.S. patent reaches only infringing acts in, or imports into, the United States.
• Procedural defenses: personal jurisdiction, venue or service.

10. Related Legal Coverage on This Site

For another look at how U.S. law treats advanced automotive technology, see Is the Tesla Roadster Street Legal? Federal Rules and Laws in All 50 States (2026). It covers road-use rules, which are unrelated to the patent questions in this case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an F1 fuel flow meter lawsuit?

Yes. Sentronics Holdings Limited sued Allengra GmbH on October 16, 2026, in the Western District of Texas, Case No. 1:26-cv-02927, alleging patent infringement.

Is the FIA or any F1 team being sued?

No. Allengra is the only defendant on the docket. The complaint refers to the FIA and teams as alleged users of the accused meters.

Will the lawsuit stop the United States Grand Prix?

No. Sentronics did not seek an emergency order, and no court has restricted use of the meters.

What does Sentronics want?

Damages (lost profits or a reasonable royalty), enhanced damages of up to three times for alleged willful infringement, a permanent injunction and a jury trial.

Has a court found that Allengra infringed the patent?

No. The case was filed on October 16, 2026, and no ruling on the merits has been issued.

Does this mean F1 teams cheated?

No. This is a patent dispute between suppliers. It does not allege that any team exceeded FIA fuel flow limits.

Why is the case in Texas?

Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over patent claims, and a foreign defendant such as Allengra may generally be sued in any district. The complaint cites U.S. Grand Prix events in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas.

Can Sentronics really get triple damages?

Section 284 allows a court to increase damages up to three times, but only in its discretion and for egregious conduct. No enhancement has been awarded.

When will the case be decided?

No trial date has been set. Patent cases commonly take years, and many settle.

Official Sources and Court Records

1. Federal Docket, Sentronics Holdings Limited v. Allengra GmbH, No. 1:26-cv-02927 (W.D. Tex.): parties, filing date, cause of action and initial filings.
2. PlanetF1, “F1 Legal Battle Erupts in Texas as Former Supplier Takes Rival to Court” (Oct. 20, 2026): reporting on the complaint’s allegations and requested relief.
3. FIA 2026 Formula 1 Technical Regulations, Section C: fuel energy flow and fuel flow meter requirements.
4. 35 U.S.C. § 271, § 283, § 284, § 285 and § 286: the cited patent statutes.

This article provides general legal information, not legal advice. Sentronics’ allegations are unproven, and no liability, injunction or damages has been determined.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the public federal docket for Case No. 1:26-cv-02927 and the statutes cited, with the complaint’s allegations as reported by PlanetF1 on October 20, 2026, as of October 21, 2026. Last Updated: October 21, 2026.