Tensions rise as McLaren questions Red Bull’s ride height compliance, with Zak Brown calling for a thorough FIA investigation.
At McLaren F1, there is no belief whatsoever that Red Bull refrained from using their ride height adjustment system between qualifying and the race in recent Grands Prix. Tensions are clearly rising in the paddock at Austin, with Woking’s team openly accusing the Milton Keynes outfit of cheating.
McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, is particularly angered by the situation and remains unconvinced by the explanations offered by Red Bull Racing. While the Austrian team insists that their system was not utilised during Parc Fermé conditions, Brown asserts that he and other team principals remain highly sceptical.
“You have to submit the designs to the FIA, and all the teams have access to them. It’s an open-source component. So anyone, every team – which is exactly what we do – can look at it. It’s plain to see. I don’t think there’s any doubt that they have the capability to access the front T-tray from inside the car. That’s indisputable.”
“Why design it to be inside the car when the other nine teams have it outside the car? The rules are black and white. You’re not allowed to touch your car during Parc Fermé. Red Bull have been very careful with their wording, saying they can’t touch it ‘when the car is fully assembled.’ But you’re allowed to not have the car fully assembled in Parc Fermé when working on driver comfort.”
“What doesn’t add up is the claim that it can’t be adjusted. So why does the FIA feel the need to seal it, if it’s not accessible after or during Parc Fermé? They could easily do so. I’m pleased to see that the FIA is looking into it. I believe a very thorough investigation is required because if you’re tampering with your car from a performance perspective after or during Parc Fermé, it’s a significant and clear violation with massive implications.”
“Touching the car after Parc Fermé is highly illegal within the rules, so I think the FIA needs to get to the bottom of this. And I’m not the only team boss with doubts, so this matter is far from closed.”
Brown is putting pressure on the FIA, and in his view, rightly so.
“Transparency is of crucial importance these days, which is why I still have questions. As I’ve said, I know from speaking to other team principals that they, too, still have questions. So, until those are answered, I believe the investigation is ongoing in terms of what we need to understand. I’d like to have more answers before I come to a conclusion, whether they did it or didn’t. I think the FIA will determine what’s going on.”
When asked about McLaren’s response to how the FIA is handling the matter, Neil Houldey, McLaren’s Director of Engineering, stated, “We are absolutely satisfied.”
“I believe what the FIA has done, from what we understand and what we’ve read in the press, seems to have been the right decisions on this point, on this part of Red Bull’s infrastructure.”
“From our perspective, we are entirely focused on our own technical development. It’s crucial for us to concentrate solely on where we are and what we are bringing to the races, not on what other teams are doing.”
“So, we’re focusing on ourselves rather than others. I think we’re learning what it’s like to be at the front again. Naturally, the scrutiny that comes with that is new to us, and I believe we’re handling it the right way by letting the FIA conclude the investigation.”
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Zak Brown is deeply frustrated by the situation in Austin. Zak Brown is deeply frustrated by the situation in Austin.
