BREAKING NEWS: McLaren Pushes FIA to Investigate Red Bull Over

McLaren Pushes FIA to Investigate Red Bull Over Front Bib Adjuster

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has urged the FIA to conduct a deeper investigation into Red Bull’s alleged use of its front bib adjuster during parc fermé conditions. The device in question, located under the heel support of the Red Bull car’s cockpit, allows mechanics to adjust the front bib’s height using a tool. While the system itself is not illegal, the concern is whether Red Bull adjusted the device after qualifying but before the race, which would breach F1’s strict parc fermé rules.

Parc fermé regulations prevent teams from altering key aerodynamic components of the car, with exceptions made only for the front wing. Teams believe that if Red Bull used this adjuster to modify its car’s setup post-qualifying, it could have gained an unfair advantage.

Red Bull has consistently denied these accusations, asserting that they have always complied with the regulations. The FIA, after reviewing the matter, expressed confidence that no evidence suggests Red Bull breached the rules. Despite this, Brown and several other team bosses remain skeptical, insisting that more clarity is needed.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Brown welcomed the FIA’s closer scrutiny of the front bib system but emphasized that the matter requires thorough investigation.

“I’m pleased to see the FIA is on top of this issue, but it needs to be a very thorough investigation,” Brown stated. “If a team adjusts its car from a performance standpoint during parc fermé, that’s a clear and substantial breach of the rules, which should carry significant consequences.”

Brown underscored the seriousness of any rule violations during parc fermé, where cars are effectively “locked” from changes until the race. “Touching your car after parc fermé is highly illegal within the rules. So the FIA needs to get to the bottom of whether any such adjustments were made,” he added.

Brown also highlighted the fact that Red Bull is the only team that has installed such an adjuster, raising further questions about why the team designed the system this way when no other competitors have.

“They’re the only team that has this system. Why would you design it to be inside the car when no other team has done so?” Brown questioned. “That alone prompts doubt, especially when there are cleverly worded statements from Red Bull claiming that the adjuster cannot be operated when the car is fully assembled. But we all know the car isn’t always fully assembled during parc fermé.”

Brown referred to the FIA’s recent decision to place a seal on the device, asking why such a step was necessary if there was no real risk of it being tampered with.

“If it wasn’t accessible, why would the FIA feel the need to seal it?” Brown continued. “Transparency is crucial in today’s world, and we still have unanswered questions. From speaking with other team bosses, it’s clear that the doubts haven’t been fully resolved.”

Despite Red Bull’s assertions and the FIA’s initial stance, Brown remained firm that more investigation was needed. He suggested that, until all questions are answered, it is premature to declare whether or not Red Bull breached the rules.

“I’d like some more answers before I’m ready to conclude that they were, or weren’t, in violation of the rules. The FIA needs to be diligent in bottoming this out,” Brown stated. He also indicated that while he has a personal opinion on the matter, it’s up to the governing body to make an official determination.

Ultimately, Brown’s comments reflect broader concerns within the paddock over potential loopholes in the regulations, with teams pushing for greater transparency and stricter enforcement of F1’s technical rules. Whether the FIA will follow through with additional investigations into the matter remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the controversy surrounding Red Bull’s front bib adjuster is far from settled.