Red Bull agrees to FIA’s plan after admitting front bib device exists

Agreeing to the FIA’s plan to take corrective measures, Red Bull has admitted that a device to adjust front bib height exists on the RB20, however, cannot be used while the car is assembled.

Red Bull’s forced redesign ahead of the United States Grand Prix comes after rival teams reportedly noticed an advantageous device on the RB20 through open-source component documents provided at the Singapore Grand Prix, with teams informing the FIA of their concerns about its existence last month.

A senior representative from Red Bull confirmed the front bib device’s presence on the car, saying: “Yes, it exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run.

“In the numerous correspondence we have with the FIA, this part came up and we have agreed a plan going forward.”

Although there was no evidence of the team doing so, the argument stood that Red Bull could have been able to optimise balance and perfect ride height for both qualifying and the race by adjusting the clearance of the front bib, also known as T-tray, through a change of settings via the cockpit in parc ferme.

The actions of the device would be deemed legal if they were to be performed during practice, with the component itself not outside the regulations.

Under the parc ferme regulations, however, teams are not allowed to make changes to the aerodynamic configuration of their cars, with Article 40.2 of F1’s Technical Regulations outlining that the only legal bodywork adjustment between qualifying and lights out is the front wing angle.

The FIA issued a statement on the matter, saying: “Any adjustment to the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations.

“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 this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified.

“In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide further assurance of compliance.”

But despite admitting to having such a device on the RB20, Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen says it has no impact on the performance of the car which has left the Dutchman winless since June.

“For us, it was just an easy tool,” Verstappen said.

“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].

“When I read [the statement], I was thinking about other teams doing it, and then I found out it was related to our team. 

“We never even mentioned it in the briefings, it was just an easier tool to adjust stuff.”

Red Bull spoke with the FIA on the eve of the United States Grand Prix, 

Lando Norris, whose team faced its own technical controversy after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix regarding a ‘mini-DRS’ rear wing, didn’t seem too worried about Red Bull’s supposed advantage, instead looking at recent results as a source of confidence. 

“It’s one thing having it on your car and another how much you exploit and use it, which we have no idea on,” the championship contender 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. 

“I don’t think it will change anything, but when you see poles decided by thousandths, you might say maybe it will change something.”

With six rounds remaining in the 2024 season, Verstappen and Norris are currently separated by 52 points.

This weekend, extra points will be on offer as the United States Grand Prix weekend runs in a Sprint format, with McLaren holding the edge over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship by 41 points.

Image: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

2024 United States Grand Prix Schedule:

Saturday, October 19th:

FP1: 04:30 – 05:30

Sprint Qualifying: 08:30 – 09:14

Sunday, October 20th:

Sprint: 05:00 – 06:00

Grand Prix Qualifying: 09:00 – 10:00

Monday, October 21st:

Race: 06:00

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