Red Bull faces major fallout if F1 rules violation confirmed, warns Brown
Austin, TX – McLaren CEO Zak Brown issued a stern warning at the U.S. Grand Prix on Friday, suggesting that Red Bull Racing could face "massive consequences" if found guilty of violating Formula 1's stringent regulations concerning car set-up adjustments during parc fermé conditions.
Despite trailing McLaren in the constructors' standings, Red Bull has found itself in the spotlight following the confirmation of a ride-height adjustment device present in their cars. The team maintained that the device remains inaccessible once the cars are fully assembled. However, discussions with the FIA led to an agreement that the device will bear a seal in upcoming races until it can be completely removed.
Addressing the matter, Brown voiced his concerns and highlighted some inconsistencies in Red Bull's statements. He pointed out that cars in parc fermé are often not "fully assembled," particularly when addressing driver comfort concerns.
"What doesn't quite stack up is the comment that you can't modify it," Brown told Sky Sports television. "If it's not accessible post or during parc fermé, then why put a seal on it? I think it needs to be a very thorough investigation because if you touch your car from a performance standpoint after parc fermé or in parc fermé, that is a black-and-white, material, substantial breach which comes with massive consequences."
Brown emphasized that the responsibility lies with the FIA to deliver a transparent and acceptable solution for all teams.
"I think I'm not alone in our concerns for what we have seen and heard."
The crux of the issue revolves around the potential for the ride-height device to be adjusted between qualifying and the race—a move that would be illegal yet could provide a significant performance advantage. Critics suggest Red Bull may have employed this device uniquely, possibly adjusting ride height from within the cockpit, although physical manipulation by drivers has been ruled out.
"Our questions are a bit more around what has maybe historically happened in understanding if it's been used in an inappropriate manner," added Brown.
Red Bull, which has dominated the constructors' championship for the past two seasons and secured the last three drivers' titles with Max Verstappen, is once again under scrutiny. Verstappen currently leads McLaren’s Lando Norris by 52 points with six rounds remaining, setting the stage for an intense finale to the season.
As the investigation continues, the F1 community awaits the FIA's final ruling, which could dramatically impact the competitive landscape of the championship.
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