F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Red Bull grid drama sparked by cracked rear wings!

Red Bull revealed that the team's pre-race scramble on the grid at Silverstone was caused by the sudden discovery of minor cracks in the rear wing endplates of the team's RB15 cars.

In the minutes heading into the start of Sunday's race, a frenzy broke out on the grid, with the Red Bull crews seen changing the rear wing endplates on the cars of Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit undertook the changes after getting the all-clear from the FIA as the cars were still under Parc Fermé conditions.

"One of the mechanics doing one of the checks found a crack in the rear wing of Max, so we applied to get permission to change it," team boss Christian Horner explained after the race.

"Then, there was an inspection on Pierre’s and we could see the very start of a crack appearing in the same place. So permission to change them both was granted just as a security, and we did that."

As an extra measure of precaution, crews also consolidated the endplates with tape and glue.

"The tape wasn’t going to reinforce it, it was more some glue that went on," Horner added.

The team was spared any further drama linked to the wing elements in the race, with Verstappen and Gasly unaffected by the issue, but the problem will warrant some forensic analysis this week back at Red Bull's base.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Sainz: Audi track record in motorsport ‘a very important asset’

Carlos Sainz admits that the Volkswagen group’s success in motorsport – be it with VW,…

1 hour ago

Ricciardo: No point in clearing air unless Stroll accepts blame

Daniel Ricciardo was expecting a ‘clear the air’ talk with Lance Stroll after the latter’s…

3 hours ago

Verstappen respects Newey's choice: 'Not dramatic' for Red Bull

Max Verstappen says he respects Adrian Newey’s decision to part ways with Red Bull but…

4 hours ago

Miami GP: Thursday's build-up in pictures

We’re on the eve of another adrenaline-pumping weekend of action in Florida, with Formula 1's…

15 hours ago

Perez: Red Bull ‘in a great place’ despite Newey departure

Sergio Perez believes Red Bull Racing will be in a great place despite the departure…

16 hours ago

Hamilton: Newey would be ‘amazing addition’ to Ferrari team

Lewis Hamilton has put departing Red Bull designer Adrian Newey at the top of his…

17 hours ago