Red Bull has acknowledged that it is the Formula 1 team at the center of a controversy regarding a ride-height adjustment device, which has led to FIA intervention before the United States Grand Prix.
According to an Autosport report, suspicions arose about a team potentially adjusting the height of the ‘bib’ at the front of the car’s floor between qualifying and the race—actions that are prohibited under parc fermé regulations—using a device located in the cockpit.
Mark Hughes from The Race discovered that the team in question was reminded after qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix that adjusting the bib’s clearance violated parc fermé rules. For the race, the team adhered to the requirement to maintain the same settings used in qualifying.
A Red Bull spokesperson has since confirmed to the BBC that the team involved is indeed Red Bull but argued that the device was not functional in a manner that would have breached the regulations.
“Yes, [the device] exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run,” the spokesperson explained. “In the numerous correspondences with the FIA, this part came up, and we have agreed on a plan moving forward.”
**MARK HUGHES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT**
In theory, adjusting the height of the floor’s front edge could optimize aerodynamic performance by keeping the floor low during qualifying. Raising the floor for the race would accommodate the car’s increased weight when fueled and prevent excessive wear on the underbody plank beyond the allowed 10% thickness.
If a team is required to maintain a lower-than-ideal ride height during the race, the driver would need to navigate carefully over bumps and avoid aggressive use of kerbs to prevent grounding.
Starting from the United States Grand Prix, any mechanisms for adjusting the bib height must be physically sealed.
“Any adjustment of the front bib clearance during parc fermé conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations,” the FIA stated on Wednesday.
While there is no evidence of a team using such a system, the FIA is committed to enhancing the sport’s regulations and monitoring. “As part of this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified. In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide further assurance of compliance.”
Max Verstappen’s title challenger, Lando Norris, was asked about the FIA’s actions during the pre-event press conference for the US GP.
“It’s one thing having it on your car, it’s another how much you use it and exploit it, which we have no idea about,” Norris commented. “If it has been helping them, if they have been utilizing it in a way people think they have, then maybe it will shift in our direction. But such a device wouldn’t have been the sole reason for multiple pole positions or wins. It likely wouldn’t have made a significant difference overall.”
He added, “However, when you consider certain qualifying sessions and how small the gaps have been in some races, then you might think, ‘OK, it could have had an impact in those cases.'”
Norris also supported the FIA’s decision, noting, “There’s a distinction between clear rules and pushing boundaries in Formula 1. Innovating within the allowable space is what McLaren has done well, but we ensure not to cross the line.”
GET MORE CONTENT HERE
Leave a Reply