Red Bull admits that its cars have a device to modify its height above the asphalt

The commotion has come in the last few hours because the Austrian team has admitted the existence of said device, although it claims that it does not violate the rules of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) because they do not use it in ‘parc ferme’ conditions, that is that is, between qualifying and the race. In F1, the ideal thing to compete in the best conditions is for the cars to be as close to the ground as possible in qualifying conditions and higher during the race.

Red Bull’s confession occurred prior to the United States Grand Prixafter suspicions conveyed by several teams led to a warning from the governing body of automobile competitions about possible sanctions if it was discovered that a team was using the trick of altering its height. To control it, some surveillance measures were carried out this weekend on the circuit. The Americassuch as the use of seals that would alert of a change in height between qualifying and the race.

“While we have not received any indication that any team employs such a system, the FIA ​​remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to improve oversight of the sport. As part of this we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that this distance cannot be easily modified. In some cases this may involve the application of a seal to provide a greater guarantee of compliance,” he explained in an official statement.

It was the Singapore Grand Prix that fueled suspicions about a mechanism that allowed the Red Bulls to modify their height, after Max Verstappen’s team had to make public details of the design of its openly manufactured parts.

«Yes, it exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to race. “In the numerous correspondence we maintain with the FIA ​​this matter arose and we have agreed on a plan to move forward,” acknowledged a Red Bull representative.

The aforementioned team therefore alleges that although their cars can modify their elevation with respect to the asphalt, this modification never occurs in the ‘parc ferme’, between qualifying and the race. An extreme that the FIA ​​accepts, as it has not found evidence of its use at times when it is not permitted, although at the same time it will intensify its surveillance to reassure the rest of the teams and avoid cheating.

«Once the car is built it cannot be touched»

Both Max Verstappen and Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez have assured that at no time have they obtained advantages thanks to this device. «We haven’t been doing anything. We never talk about it. It was impossible. I knew it existed but it wasn’t available to us», assured the three-time world champion before journalists in Austin. “For us it was just an easy tool when the parts were out. It was for adjustment, but once the whole car is built you can’t touch it. So for us nothing changes,” concluded the Dutchman.

From McLaren, the team that is fighting with Red Bull for the drivers’ and constructors’ titles this season, they openly transmit their suspicions about the possible cheating of their rivals. «I didn’t know Red Bull would admit it… Obviously we are pushing the limits of technical regulations, everyone does it, that’s what makes F1, F1. But from what I’ve heard and been told, something like this isn’t pushing boundaries, it’s clearly breaking them», stated the Australian Oscar Piastri.

In the fight to be the best team of the course McLaren leads the classification with 41 points ahead of Red Bull, while in the drivers’ classification it is Verstappen (Red Bull) who is in charge, with the British Lando Norris (McLaren) approaching only 52 points.