Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, has expressed doubts over Red Bull’s explanation regarding the use of a contentious ride-height device on their car, stating that the reasoning “doesn’t stack up.” Brown believes that if Red Bull is found to have used the device illegally, there should be “massive consequences.”
The controversy surrounds Red Bull’s RB20 car, currently driven by Max Verstappen, who leads the Drivers’ Championship by 52 points over McLaren’s Lando Norris ahead of the United States Grand Prix. Red Bull confirmed on Thursday that they have agreed with the FIA to make alterations to their car after discussions with the governing body about the legality of the ride-height device.
Red Bull admitted to having a device that allows for quick adjustments to the car’s front bib. While the FIA has cracked down on any changes made under parc fermé regulations, Red Bull maintains that the device has only been used for setup purposes before parc fermé begins. However, Brown remains unconvinced.
“Why would you design it to be inside the car, when the other nine teams have designed theirs outside?” Brown asked in an interview with Sky Sports. He highlighted that while Formula 1 thrives on ingenuity, there are clear black-and-white rules governing when and how a car can be modified, particularly during parc fermé.
Brown also questioned why the FIA felt the need to put a seal on the device if it wasn’t accessible after parc fermé. “If it’s not accessible post or during parc fermé, then why put a seal on it?” he asked.
The McLaren boss called for a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “Touching your car after parc fermé is highly illegal within the rules. If Red Bull has done this, it would be a substantial breach that should come with massive consequences,” Brown stated.
Brown also pointed out that Red Bull’s response seemed deliberately worded. “When you see cleverly worded comments like, ‘You can’t do it when it’s fully assembled,’ but I know the car isn’t always fully assembled, it raises questions,” he added.
Transparency, according to Brown, is crucial, and he is not alone in wanting more answers. “I know from talking to other team bosses, they still have questions. So, until those questions are answered, it’s still an ongoing investigation,” he said.
Brown believes Red Bull likely acknowledged the issue because rival teams had access to the open-source components of the car, allowing them to observe what Red Bull had done. “All the teams can see each other’s designs. So, I think there was no denying that they have access to their front bib from inside the car,” he explained.
As the investigation continues, Brown remains steadfast in his call for transparency and fair play.
