In yet another controversy swirling around the reigning Formula 1 champions, Red Bull finds itself under scrutiny as the FIA investigates claims regarding their ride height adjustment system. Rival teams, particularly McLaren, have raised concerns that Red Bull may have been altering the ride height during parc fermé conditions, which would constitute a breach of the sport’s regulations.
While the FIA has since clarified that no rules were broken, sealing Red Bull’s front bib device in Austin for added assurance, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has demanded further answers. Brown’s insistence on a deeper probe is hardly surprising, given his team’s fight against Red Bull in both the Constructors’ Championship and Lando Norris’s pursuit of Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ title.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner pushed back against the allegations. “Every car has a tool that can adjust the front of the floor, known as the bib,” Horner explained. “Ours is located at the front, in front of the footwell, and it’s been there for over three years. To access it, you need to remove several parts, including the pedals, other panels, and pipework.”
Horner was quick to dismiss the claims, emphasizing the complexity of accessing the device and comparing it to adjusting other components of the car. “It’s all part of the packaging in the front end of the chassis,” he said, insisting the mechanism was nothing out of the ordinary.
When pressed on why the FIA requested the sealing of the device, Horner took a jab at McLaren, specifically Zak Brown. “I think there’s been a bit of moaning from one of our rivals,” he said pointedly. “It’s the FIA’s job to look into these things, and this particular component has been publicly available for three years. The FIA are happy with it, likely just satisfying some paranoia elsewhere in the paddock.”
Horner continued, stressing that Red Bull has followed all the rules to the letter. “We can seal every movable joint on the car because parc fermé dictates you can’t change anything. That’s what parc fermé is there for. We’ve complied with all the regulations, and the FIA is comfortable with everything.”
Despite the ongoing saga, Red Bull’s performance on the track appears unaffected. Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Sprint race in Austin, signaling that the team remains focused and ready to take on the weekend’s challenges.
For now, it seems that Red Bull has emerged unscathed from yet another regulatory storm—but with rivals like McLaren still calling for answers, this controversy may not fade away anytime soon.
