McLaren CEO Raises Further Questions on Red Bull’s Controversial Ride Height Device Amid FIA Probe

McLaren remains skeptical about the explanations Red Bull has provided for their debated ride height mechanism.

McLaren's chief, Zak Brown, mentions he still has uncertainties he needs to clarify regarding Red Bull's controversial ride height mechanism.

On Thursday, at the F1 United States Grand Prix, Red Bull acknowledged they are the focus of an investigation by the FIA concerning a device known as a 'bib,' which competitors believe may be utilized to alter the height of the front part of the car's floor when under parc ferme conditions.

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The current world champions have consented to modify their vehicle after talks with the FIA, however, their F1 competitors McLaren remain skeptical, dismissing their argument that the mechanism is "unreachable once the car is completely put together and prepared for operation."

"Brown mentioned on Friday in Austin that there’s a team capable of modifying the ride height from within the cockpit. Whether they’ve actually used this capability, he's unsure, but the mere existence of such a feature is causing some speculation," Brown stated.

The rules explicitly state that making any unauthorized modifications to your racing vehicle, whether for performance enhancement or driver comfort, constitutes a significant violation of the regulations.

"They've opted to seal it while also acknowledging feedback from the team that adjustments can't be made once the car is completely ready for the race. Given that the car isn't always in its final race-ready state in parc ferme and on Sunday mornings, it seems this decision warrants further examination."

"Why is it necessary to seal off something inaccessible during or after parc ferme conditions? I still have queries that require clearer explanations."

Brown firmly believes that if this device is utilized in an improper way, it could lead to a competitive edge. However, he confessed that he's unaware of any misconduct by Red Bull in this regard.

"He mentioned that if it is utilized incorrectly, it undoubtedly provides a competitive edge. However, if it's used appropriately, there's absolutely no advantage to performance. This is what we're aiming to comprehend more fully."

Brown emphasized his complete trust in F1's regulatory organization to resolve the controversy, ensuring a resolution that is clear and acceptable to all teams involved.

"Brown further stated, 'We are focusing more on understanding historical events and determining whether there has been any misuse.'"

In response to a question regarding the extent of the FIA's inquiry, Brown stated, "I believe the focus should likely be on the period during which the mechanism could be modified from within the cockpit."

Brown playfully rejected the idea that Red Bull's pilots could manually alter the car's suspension settings while driving, quipping, "they would need extremely long arms for that."

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