Red Bull Unveils Controversial Front Bib Device to FIA Amid Heightened Scrutiny at US Grand Prix

Red Bull reveals disputed front bib mechanism to FIA after practice session

Following the practice session in Austin, Red Bull has explained the operation of their disputed front bib mechanism to the FIA.

After a practice session for the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull demonstrated to two FIA officials the functioning of their contentious front bib mechanism.

As the weekend approaches, Red Bull is facing criticism over their contentious device used to adjust ride height.

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Competing teams expressed worries to the FIA that Red Bull might have been capable of altering the car's front ride height, an action that is strictly prohibited in Formula 1.

Theoretically, this approach could benefit them by allowing them to operate the car differently during qualifying with a light fuel load and during the race when the car carries more weight.

Following the practice session in Austin on Friday, Max Verstappen achieved the third-quickest lap. Subsequently, Red Bull presented their equipment to the FIA to explain its functionality.

Red Bull has been demonstrating to the FIA the functionality of their front bib device. 👀📸 x Sky Sports F1 pic.twitter.com/32NV1u3EgG— Crash.net – Formula 1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) October 18, 2024

The event occurred openly in the Red Bull garage, where Ole Schack, a veteran mechanic, demonstrated the mechanism to two officials.

Two members of the FIA team were observed examining the front section of Red Bull's vehicle while Schack showcased its functionality.

During the event, Ted Kravitz, a technical expert for Sky Sports F1, remarked: “Here we have Ole Schack, the lead mechanic for Red Bull, showing two officials from the FIA’s technical team exactly how they perform the task.”

"I was surprised to see them actually go through with it. Ole Schackis is demonstrating how he places the device in the car's footwell after the driver exits, which alters the front ride height. This gives the FIA an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the device's functionality, as this is their first chance to examine it closely. They are also considering how to measure its impact, possibly using a seal or a different method. This process will continue as qualifying, sprint qualifying, and the first parc ferme phase start later today."

At that point, parc ferme regulations come into effect, and the FIA must figure out how to ensure that the floor isn't altered during this period, as the accusations have been directed at your team. It's crucial for them to first comprehend the functioning of the system, and here's an explanation of how it operates.

"I could spend hours observing this. Ole Schack is the expert in this field. He has been a dedicated member of Red Bull Racing from the start. If there's anyone with the right knowledge, it's Ole. He just showed us how to use those tools. It's astonishing to see this being demonstrated. He explained how this device alters the front ride height of the Red Bull car. The scenes here are truly captivating. The FIA has fully grasped this concept."

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