Two days before the very important Austin Grand Prix (United States), the Red Bull single-seater is causing controversy. After suspicions from the FIA, the Austrian team admitted that it had an illegal system allowing it to improve aerodynamics, but ensures that it does not use it.
This is raising the temperature at the end of the autumn break. If suspense is in order at the end of the season, an event has added fuel to the fire. After the last Singapore Grand Prix on September 22, several teams alerted the FIA to the potential use of an illegal system to improve aerodynamics.
Formula 1’s governing body had major doubts. While no name has been released, Red Bull itself has acknowledged the existence of a device on its car that regulates the height of the car from the front of the car floor.
It would be adjustable from inside the cockpit, potentially by a mechanic during pre-race preparations. But what would that do for their car? A significant aerodynamic advantage and easier fuel management depending on race distances. Problem: Parc Fermé rule prohibits any such changes after qualifying begins.
“The device exists but it is inaccessible”
While no one stood up to the RB20 at the start of the season and Max Verstappen won seven GPs in the first ten races, Red Bull stalled with six GPs remaining, but found some color since Baku. Should we see a link there? No one is sure, but McLaren’s runner-up team in the constructors’ standings still wanted to explain.
“Yes, the device exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to roll,” Red Bull said, in comments reported by Motosport. A justification logically supported by its pilots. “I knew it existed but it was not available to us to use,” adds Sergio Pérez.
For the moment, the FIA is not talking about sanctions, but will modify its controls, from the next meeting. “We have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that the height of the T-tray cannot be easily changed. In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide additional assurance of compliance,” a assured an FIA representative to Nextgen-auto.
Red Bull’s performances will be closely tested this weekend for the Austin Grand Prix (United States), 19th round of the 2024 F1 season. With six GPs remaining, the gap between Verstappen and his runner-up Norris continues to reduce, 52 points currently separate them.
