McLaren boss Zak Brown has cast doubt on Red Bull's defense regarding its controversial front ride height adjustment system amid tensions that continue to intensify in the F1 paddock.
Suspicions involving the Milton Keynes-based outfit's subtle device erupted ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix, although they had been simmering since last month's race in Singapore when Red Bull's rivals alerted the FIA about a possible breach of the sport's technical regulations by the reigning world champions.
Their contention was that Red Bull may have exploited its device to modify the front ride height of its car in parc fermé conditions, or between qualifying and the race, a move that is strictly prohibited by the rules. However, there is no evidence of Red Bull indulging in such a scheme.
The governing body reacted with a promise to closely monitor Red Bull's system this weekend, while the team itself has gone out of its way in Austin to demonstrate to FIA officials why its device is compliant and why it is allegedly inaccessible in parc fermé conditions or when its RB20 is “fully assembled” according to Red Bull.
However, Brown remains unconvinced, suggesting that Red Bull's explanation has led to more questions than answers.
“Why would you design it to be inside the car when the other nine teams, it's designed to be outside of the car?” commented Brow in an interview with Sky F1.
“Therefore, the rules… ingenuity is part of Formula 1 and there are black-and-white rules. You cannot touch your race car other than things like driver comfort.
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“They chose their words very carefully saying when the car's 'fully assembled', but you're allowed to not have the car fully assembled in parc fermé and when you're working on driver comfort. Also, what doesn't quite stack up is the comment that you can't modify.
“Well then why is the FIA feel they need to put a signal on it? If it's not accessible post or during parc fermé then why put a sign on it?”
As far as Brown is concerned, the gravity of the situation is clear, and the McLaren chief insists that if Red Bull is found guilty, they should face “massive consequences.”
“I am very happy to see the FIA is on it,” he added. “I think it needs to be a thorough investigation because if you touch your car from a performance standpoint after parc fermé or in parc fermé, that is a black-and-white material substantial breach which comes with massive consequences.
“Touching your car after parc ferme is highly illegal within the rules, so I think the FIA needs to get to the bottom of were they, weren't they? Why would you design it to be inside the car when the nine other teams haven't.”
The McLaren boss highlighted the importance of transparency in the sport.
“Transparency is critically important in today's day and age so I still have questions,” Brown concluded.
“I know from talking to other team bosses they still have questions. “
"I think the FIA will bottom it out.”
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