Red Bull has admitted ownership of a front-bib ride height device on its Formula 1 challenger and will make changes following discussions with the FIA.
Reports emerged from the United States Grand Prix paddock that teams were concerned about an un-named rival featuring a device in its cockpit that could adjust the ride height of the front bib under parc ferme conditions, which would be illegal under the F1 technical regulations.
The FIA revealed it would be heavily scrutinising to reveal any cars using such a device in Austin, Texas during parc ferme, the period from qualifying to race sessions where car changes are prohibited.
Red Bull has since admitted to being the team in possession of the device, although a spokesperson explained it cannot be used when the car is fully assembled.
“Yes, it exists although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run.
“In the numerous correspondence we have with the FIA, this part came up and we have agreed a plan going forward.”
Red Bull’s device is said to be accessible by a mechanic from within the cockpit of the RB20 and has multiple ride height settings.
The Milton Keynes-based squad will not have to make any alterations to its RB20 machine at Austin, but further scrutiny could prompt changes further down the line.
Technical loopholes, legal or otherwise, have long been a key battleground in F1 title battles and this year has been no exception.
Red Bull is fighting McLaren in the Drivers’ (where it has a 52-point advantage courtesy of Max Verstappen) and Constructors’ standings (where it has a 41-point deficit).
McLaren courted controversy with its mini-DRS rear wing at Baku, where flexing of the uppermost element of the rear wing allegedly brought with it an aerodynamic advantage.
The Woking-based outfit has since agreed with the FIA to firm up its rear wing design, to prevent this in the future.
Advantage Norris and McLaren?
McLaren’s Lando Norris is chasing Verstappen in the F1 Drivers’ standings and had his say on the ride-height device controversy on Thursday.
“It’s one thing having it on your car, it’s another thing on how much you exploit it and use it, which we have no idea about,” Norris said.
“So, if it has been helping them, if they’ve been utilising it in a way people think they have, then maybe [the balance of power] will shift in our direction.
“But, I mean, when you talk about things like that, it’s not going to gain several positions or wins just because of such a device.
“I don’t think it really will change anything in those few things, but when we look at maybe certain qualifying and we look at the gap in certain races this year, when it’s been split by hundredths of a second in qualifying over thousandths, then you might say, ‘OK, well, maybe this has helped in that direction or this direction’, but I think it’s good that the FIA are [looking into it].
“There’s a difference between black and white stuff like this, and there’s a difference between Formula 1 and pushing the boundaries and creating new things and innovating within the space that you’re allowed to innovate.
“I think that’s what we, as McLaren, have done a very good job of, but we’re sure not to go any further than that.”
READ MORE: FIA clamping down on F1 parc ferme breach at US GP
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