Photo Credit – Formula 1 / Red Bull / Motorsports / Autosport

What’s the Impact?

Red Bull Racing, one of the most dominant teams in Formula 1, has confirmed that they will make changes to their car following discussions with the FIA, Formula 1’s governing body. The move comes after rival teams raised concerns about a device found in the Red Bull cockpit, which they believed could be used to adjust the front floor height between qualifying and race day. This raised questions about whether Red Bull might be gaining an unfair advantage by tweaking their car’s setup, despite the strict parc ferme regulations in place.

Red Bull’s star driver, Max Verstappen, has reassured fans that the changes will have no impact on the team’s performance, but the situation has certainly created a stir in the F1 paddock. With the United States Grand Prix looming, let’s break down what’s happening, how it affects the team, and what this means for the championship race.

The Controversial Device: What’s the Issue?

The controversy revolves around a device located in Red Bull’s cockpit, reportedly designed to adjust the height of the front part of the car’s floor. This area, often referred to as the ‘bib’ or ‘tea-tray,’ plays a crucial role in the aerodynamics of the car. If teams could adjust it between qualifying and the race, they could theoretically gain a significant performance advantage.

During qualifying, teams typically run their cars as low as possible to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and lap times. However, for the race, the car might need to be raised slightly to handle the additional demands of full fuel loads, tire degradation, and track conditions. Being able to adjust the car’s floor height between sessions would allow a team to optimize its setup for both qualifying and the race, something that’s explicitly banned under F1’s parc ferme regulations.

Red Bull’s Response: The Device Exists, But It’s Not Accessible

In response to the concerns raised by rival teams, a spokesperson for Red Bull confirmed the existence of the device but insisted that it cannot be used once the car is fully assembled and ready to race. According to Red Bull, the part in question was discussed with the FIA during routine technical correspondence, and both parties have agreed on a plan to move forward.

“Yes, the device exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run,” the Red Bull spokesperson told BBC Sport. “In the numerous correspondences we have with the FIA, this part came up, and we have agreed on a plan going forward.”

Parc Ferme Regulations: Why This Matters

The FIA’s parc ferme regulations are in place to ensure that teams can’t make significant changes to their car’s setup after the start of qualifying. Once qualifying begins, teams are only allowed to adjust the front wing angle, and everything else must remain the same through to the race. This is to maintain fairness across the grid and prevent teams from running vastly different setups for qualifying and racing.

The ability to adjust the floor height could give teams an edge by allowing them to lower the car for better aerodynamic performance in qualifying, then raise it for better handling and tire management during the race. This kind of adjustment would violate the parc ferme rules, which is why rival teams brought their concerns to the FIA.

The FIA’s Response: No Team Has Been Caught, But They’re Keeping an Eye Out

In their official statement, the FIA emphasized that no team had been found to be using such a system to modify the floor height between qualifying and the race. However, they acknowledged the importance of vigilance in ensuring that all teams adhere to the rules.

“Any adjustment to the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations,” the FIA stated. “While we have not received any indication of any team employing such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to enhance the policing of the sport.”

As part of their efforts to ensure compliance, the FIA has introduced procedural adjustments to make it harder for teams to modify the front bib clearance during races. In some cases, they may even apply a seal to the relevant part of the car to provide further assurance that no unauthorized changes are being made.

Max Verstappen: No Performance Impact

Despite the attention surrounding the situation, Max Verstappen, the current leader in the drivers’ championship, has insisted that the changes will not affect Red Bull’s performance. According to Verstappen, the device in question was simply a tool used to adjust the car during assembly, and once the car was fully built, it couldn’t be accessed or altered.

“For us, it was just an easy tool,” Verstappen explained. “When the parts were off, it was easy to adjust. But once the whole car is built together, you can’t touch it. So, for us, it doesn’t change anything.”

Verstappen admitted that he was initially surprised when he heard about the issue, thinking that it was related to other teams. However, he quickly realized that the concern was about Red Bull. Despite this, he remains unfazed, confident that the team’s dominance this season has been the result of their overall engineering prowess, not the presence of any specific device.

Lando Norris Weighs In: Could It Shift the Balance?

Lando Norris, one of Verstappen’s key rivals for the drivers’ title this season, also commented on the situation. Norris acknowledged that the device could provide some advantage, but he was quick to point out that Red Bull’s success this year wasn’t solely down to any one component.

“It’s one thing having it on your car, and another how much you exploit and use it, which we have no idea on,” Norris said. “If they have been using it in the way people think they have, maybe it will shift things, but they have not got several poles and wins just for such a device.”

Norris emphasized that while the device could potentially affect qualifying or race performance in small ways, Red Bull’s dominance this season has been driven by their exceptional overall package. The margin between pole positions in Formula 1 can be measured in thousandths of a second, and while the device could provide an edge in that area, it isn’t likely to be a game-changer.

The Bigger Picture: Red Bull’s Continued Dominance

Red Bull has been the team to beat in 2023. With Verstappen at the wheel and a car that seems to handle every track with ease, their competitors have struggled to keep up. The team’s combination of power, aerodynamic efficiency, and reliability has allowed them to dominate both qualifying and race day.

The controversy surrounding the adjustable floor device is unlikely to derail Red Bull’s momentum. Even if the FIA’s new procedures prevent any future adjustments, the team has already demonstrated that their car is capable of winning races without relying on such devices. Verstappen’s confidence in the team’s setup and performance suggests that Red Bull will continue to be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses.

Looking Ahead: The United States Grand Prix and Beyond

The F1 season resumes this weekend at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, with Red Bull eager to extend their lead in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. While the discussions with the FIA have added some intrigue to the paddock, Red Bull remains focused on maintaining their dominance on the track.

As the United States Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on how the changes to Red Bull’s car might affect their performance. Will the alterations make a difference, or will Verstappen and his team continue to crush the competition? One thing’s for sure: the battle for the championship is far from over.