After Red Bull raised concerns, the FIA has reportedly closed its investigation into potential tyre cooling irregularities in Formula 1.
During the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, it became clear that Red Bull had suspicions that rival outfits, including but not limited to McLaren, were cooling their tyres via liquid injection.
Those suspicions stemmed from observations whereby moisture and water marks were found in wheel rims after tyres were stripped upon the conclusion of the Singapore GP.
The FIA and Single-Seater Director sought to speak with the teams and F1 tyre manufacturer Pirelli regarding the matter at Interlagos.
Moreover, scrutineering post-Brazil Sprint revealed that “the tyres used by all drivers during the Sprint today have been checked,” with no issues found.
In addition, Pirelli Director of Motorsport Mario Isola said he couldn’t see any glaring evidence proving F1 teams are employing a water-cooling trick with tyres.
“I cannot see anything strange from the data we have,” said Isola (via Motorsport.com).
“I don’t have any evidence. “It’s up to the FIA now to decide what to do and to tell us if we can support, because at the end of the day the only thing we can do is to support them.”
The FIA delivers its verdict on F1 tyre cooling
Having also closed matters regarding Red Bull’s front-bib controversy, the FIA also released a statement bringing matters to an apparent end on tyre cooling.
“The FIA investigated during the last grand prix in Brazil recent allegations that competitors may have used water to manage overheating of tyres,” the statement began (via Autosport).
No evidence was found to suggest any irregular behaviour.
“We consider both matters closed, but will continue to monitor the situation in detail.”
Will F1’s technical war continue in the final 2024 triple-header?
Red Bull and McLaren appear to be in a back-and-forth of finger-waving and accusations amid F1’s technical war.
From McLaren’s mini-DRS to Red Bull’s front bib device and the tyre cooling controversy, it’s no surprise that the FIA is having to investigate matters regarding teams who have title aspirations in 2024.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris have been engaged in a Drivers’ title fight of sorts, although the former’s remarkable victory at Interlagos has all but wrapped up that battle.
With three rounds and 86 points remaining, Verstappen leads Norris by 62 points in the Drivers’ standings.
Meanwhile, McLaren is in the best position to seal the Constructors’ standings with 593 points.
Ferrari is second in the standings with 557 points and Red Bull is in third with 544 points.
The Constructors’ title is by no means decided, so will the FIA have further technical controversies to settle in the final triple header of the 2024 F1 season across Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
READ MORE – Pirelli pour cold water on F1 tyre debate amid Red Bull concern
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