More recently, the Red Bull team was suspected of using an ingenious asymmetric brake, and now a new technical scandal has broken out: the current champions are accused of using a system that allows them to violate the rules of the so-called parc ferme (a regime when You can’t change anything in the car).
Furthermore, Red Bull admitted that their cars actually have such a system, but the Austrians did not break the rules with it. Let’s find out what a “tray” is and whether Red Bull faces serious sanctions.
What is the problem?
Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has unexpectedly announced that it will be stricter in enforcing park entry rules. “Any change in the ground clearance of the front edge of the background in a parc ferme is strictly prohibited by the rules. Although we have no evidence that such a system is being used, the FIA will strengthen enforcement of the rules. In this regard, procedural changes have been made to eliminate the possibility of unimpeded changes in the ground clearance of the front edge of the underbody,” the statement said.
Parc ferme rules prohibit changes to the car’s set-up or set-up (with limited exceptions) between qualifying and the race. If such changes are made, the driver will have to start from the pit lane. And one of the most important adjustments in Formula 1 is ground clearance. Modern ground effect cars are extremely sensitive to the slightest changes in the bottom, and engineers need to find a balance at all times: for a car to be faster, it needs a minimum ground clearance, but if it is exceeded, In a race, when the tanks are loaded with fuel, it can start to scratch the bottom of the asphalt and will eventually be disqualified for having too much wear on the control rod.
Verstappen’s car in parking mode
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
In the paddock they suspected that one of the teams had come up with an ingenious device that allowed them to quickly change the ride height by controlling the position of the so-called “tray” (T-tray). This element is the leading edge of the bottom, which cuts off air flows before they enter a complex system of tunnels. The way the air flows around the “tray” ultimately determines the entire logic of the flow movement beneath the bottom. And Red Bull admitted that its car actually has such a system, but it is supposedly impossible to use it when the car is mounted.
The Red Bull team had to show FIA representatives in the presence of journalists how this system works. It turned out that the mechanism is located in the pilot’s leg area and is not available for use when the driver is in the cockpit. To use the system, the nose cone needs to be removed, then the mechanic uses a screwdriver to reposition the “tray” through the removed top cover. It is impossible to carry out such manipulations and go unnoticed by surveillance cameras, which confirms Red Bull’s words.
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Regulation black zone.
Of course, the paddock was not convinced by Red Bull’s excuses. “Why would you create a system like that inside a car? None of the other teams have this,” McLaren director Zak Brown said in an interview with Sky Sports. “I am glad that the FIA has taken up this matter, a thorough investigation is needed. “If the efficiency of a car is affected in a closed parking lot, it is a clear violation and there will be serious consequences.”
At the same time, Lando Norris, who is fighting with Max Verstappen for the championship, spoke more cautiously. “It is one thing to have a system like this and another to use it. And this must be solved,” said the Briton. “If the rumors are true, then banning such systems will probably benefit us.” But I really don’t think anything will change. You won’t win multiple poles or races with this system alone.”
Pérez’s accident allows us to see that same “tray”
Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images
It is not known for certain whether Red Bull used this system to circumvent parc ferme restrictions, and it will never be known, unless, of course, someone on the team suddenly opens up. And this is precisely where the problem lies: the mere presence of such a system does not violate the rules and there is nothing to punish Red Bull for. Although it is obvious that the secret use of such a system would provide a huge increase in speed.
After consulting with the FIA, Red Bull has promised to remove suspicious mechanisms from the cars, but this will only be done before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. That is, the Austrians will compete in two more races with a controversial system. Given the tightening of FIA controls, Red Bull will no longer use it, but this is unlikely to dispel the suspicions of its rivals. “God knows how long they’ve had this system,” Lewis Hamilton said.
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Will the ban affect Red Bull?
If Red Bull really circumvented closed parking rules using such a system, then its absence will greatly affect the car’s speed. Engineers will have to make compromises and increase ground clearance while losing downforce. Additionally, Milton Keynes prepared updates for the United States Grand Prix and it can be assumed that they were designed taking into account the possibility of changing ground clearance in parc ferme. If everything goes like this, Verstappen will have no chance of winning the title.
However, now the Red Bull version still seems more likely. Such a flagrant violation of the rules of a closed park is a big risk; If anyone could actually uncover the plan, it would be a Crashgate-level scandal. On the other hand, we must admit that we still do not know enough about how this system works: who can guarantee that Red Bull did not hide anything and did not foresee the possibility of justifying itself if something happened?
Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix
Photo: Mark Sutton/Getty Images
“This is open data, right? “Everyone can watch,” Max Verstappen responded to the suspicions. “For us, this is simply a convenient tool for those cases where the car is disassembled. The system was used to change settings, but cannot be touched once the car is assembled. Nothing will change for us. When I read the news I thought it was about another team.”
We will probably find out this weekend if Verstappen is being fake. In a closed parking lot, cars will be additionally sealed to exclude any prohibited fraud; You can be sure that the Red Bull’s ground clearance will not change this time. And if Max’s pace is not affected by this, then the accusations against the champions really come out of nowhere. But what if Red Bull really does get significantly slower this weekend?
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