The FIA inspected Max Verstappen’s RB20 in plain view following the sole practice session for the United States GP.
The FIA was afforded a thorough inspection by Red Bull as to how its much-discussed ride-height device works.
In full view of the Sky Sports F1 cameras following the sole practice session for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, two FIA scrutineers were given a guided tour by Ole Schack, Max Verstappen’s front-end mechanic.
Schack opened up a panel on the top of the nose of the RB20 and then proceeded to use a lengthy magnetic screwdriver, making turns, seemingly to adjust the ride height.
The device has stepped into the spotlight ahead of this weekend’s race as ride height is crucial to the performance of a car. The lower it is in qualifying, the greater the downforce, and with it vital lap time.
For a grand prix, when a car is heavier due to the weight of a full fuel tank, a car needs to be higher to provide ground clearance.
Making changes to the ride height of a car under parc fermé conditions is strictly against the regulations.
Red Bull has insisted it has never broken the rules, however, for the FIA to prove it had would be almost impossible.
After the device came to light on open-source documents following the Singapore Grand Prix, and following complaints from Red Bull’s rivals, the FIA has acted swiftly.
It has decided to tighten its procedures under parc fermé conditions to prevent possible changes from taking place. In Red Bull’s case, it has also decided to apply seals to the system. That took place during the inspection in front of the cameras.
Red Bull’s effective ‘show-and-tell’ appeared to be a designed manoeuvre to prove it has nothing to hide, and there has been no untoward skullduggery that has taken place in what is now proving to be a fascinating F1 title battle.
McLaren has taken the lead in the constructors’ championship by 41 points over Red Bull, whilst Verstappen has a 52-point cushion over Norris in the drivers’ standings.
