Red Bull admits it is the subject of FIA clampdown on front bib clearance, following rival complaints over its potential to break parc ferme regulations.
The FIA has confirmed it is focusing on bib clearance – and whether teams have devices that allow it to be raised between qualifying and a race to improve performance – ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. A Red Bull spokesperson stated to RACER that “Yes, [the device] 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.”
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RACER understands that the FIA was alerted to the Red Bull device by a rival team at the last race in Singapore, leading to the governing body telling Red Bull that it could not be used and needed to be sealed from the start of qualifying if it could not be removed.
While not naming the team in question directly, the FIA confirmed it is focusing on that area of the car. The front bib is the middle part of the floor, and raising its clearance would allow a car to run lower in qualifying trim and then avoid excessive bottoming and plank wear when heavy with fuel during a race.
“Any adjustment to the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations,” an FIA spokesperson said. “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.”
Having such a device is not considered illegal – many teams can visibly adjust the height via use of tools – but being able to do so under parc ferme regulations would be a breach. There are no expectations of any retrospective action because it would not be possible to determine its use in the past, but the introduction of a seal would be to prove the device is not used moving forward.