Coming to the United States GP, a lot of teams showed concern over a tool that adjusts the front bib of the car. The teams were concerned that one of the teams was using it to allegedly get around a rule. Red Bull themselves admitted that they were the ones using this part.
The part in concern is a front bib system that allows Red Bull to make changes to the front ground clearance between the qualifying session and the Grand Prix from within the cockpit. According to Parc Ferme regulations, the teams can only make limited changes to the car after the qualifying session. These limited changes don’t include the ground clearance. But Red Bull seemingly found a way around it.
This front bib can be used to adjust the ride height of the car. For the rest of the 9 teams, the height can only be adjusted from outside the car. But Red Bull has a tool that can change the height of the front bib from within the cockpit. So the driver can adjust the height between the qualifying session and the race without the FIA knowing. All the driver has to do is switch it back to the original position while finishing the race.
Although this tool exists in the RB20, Red Bull claims that they have never used it to illegally change the ride height between qualifying and the race. They are defending saying that they only use the tool to change ride heights during practice sessions as it saves time. But the FIA still have to make their own checks.
FIA receives guided tour of Red Bull’s front-bib tool
On Friday before the Sprint Qualifying session, FIA executives made their way down to the Red Bull garage to take a look at the tool for themselves. They were filmed by Sky Sports as Red Bull mechanics were showing them the tool now and how it works.
But this will not matter as the FIA will not have to investigate the RB20 this weekend. After this matter came to light a couple of days back, Red Bull spoke to the FIA and agreed to make some changes to the car ahead of the Austin GP.
But now, the FIA has to investigate if the tool has ever been used in the previous races this season. If they have, Red Bull could be looking at a severe punishment which will affect their Championship this season.
What punishments could Red Bull face if their tool is found to be illegal?
Although Red Bull has made some changes to the car after conversing with the FIA, there is still an investigation that needs to be conducted. If Red Bull had used the tool to illegally change the ride height between qualifying and the race, the penalty could have been severe.
Given that Red Bull is a contender for the Championship, the penalty could have dramatic consequences. McLaren, who is currently leading the Constructors’ Championship will be pushing the FIA to give the harshest of punishments. That is exactly what Zak Brown is doing.
“I am very happy to see the FIA is on it,” McLaren CEO, Zak Brown said. “I think it needs to be a thorough investigation because if you touch your car from a performance standpoint after parc ferme or in parc ferme, that is a black-and-white material substantial breach which comes with massive consequences.
“[…] Transparency is critically important in today’s day and age so I still have questions. I know from talking to other team bosses they still have questions. So until those questions are answered I think it’s still an ongoing investigation to bottom out what do we know? I’d like some more answers before I am prepared to go right – they were or they weren’t. I think the FIA will bottom it out.”
Red Bull has admitted the existence of a front bib device on the RB20. After conversations with the FIA, Red Bull has agreed to make changes moving forward.
A Red Bull spokesperson told BBC Sport:
“Yes, (the device) exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully… https://t.co/BqKspXKqh5
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) October 17, 2024
There are a few penalties that Red Bull could receive if their part is found to be illegal. Back in 2020, Racing Point ran an illegal brake system that was too similar to Mercedes’. The FIA fined the team and took away points from the team in the Constructors’ Championship.
Red Bull could face a similar punishment. But some rival teams like McLaren could be pushing for something more severe.
Do you think Red Bull will be penalized for using this system? If so, what penalty would fit the crime in this scenario? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
