Mark Webber’s Monaco Grand prix victory went unchallenged despite pre-race speculation that a rival team was likely to protest the legality of the Red Bull car.
McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes had all expressed concern that a ‘hole’ in the RB8’s floor didn’t meet the FIA technical regulations, with suggestions one, or a combination of the three, would protest the result.
The ‘hole’ in question is located just before the rear tyres. Whilst it isn’t unusual to have a gap in that position, in fact other cars do, but they have had to include a slot which runs to the edge of the floor, thus making it a slot, rather than a fully-enclosed hole, as is the case with Red Bull’s design.
When questioned on the matter, team principal Christian Horner was confident that it met the FIA’s requirements, and was cleared by technical delegate Charlie Whiting.
“I would be disappointed if there were to be a protest, it would not be particularly sporting,” he said on Sunday.
The hole in question located ahead of the rear tyres.
“We are totally happy that our car fully complies with the regulations. We have obviously consulted with the FIA over it – we have had their opinion in writing confirming the interpretation, so it would be disappointing if there was a protest. But we are entirely happy that the car completely complies.”
However, the three aforementioned teams remain unhappy. Whilst they haven’t lodged an official protest in Monaco – and now can’t following confirmation of the results, they expect and hope the matter will be clarified before the next race in Canada.
“Yes. I think it will be sorted out shortly,” said McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh. “It is not for me to comment on someone else’s car, it is for the FIA to make that decision.”
Meanwhile Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali agreed: “We need a clarification on this point. That is all I can say tonight.”
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