Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has voiced his strong discontent regarding the controversial Red Bull ride height adjustment device which was uncovered at the United States Grand Prix and questioned FIA’s decision not to impose any penalty.
The device which allegedly allows for adjustments to the ride height while in parc ferme conditions, has ignited a significant debate within the F1 community over the weekend.
Wolff’s remarks come in the wake of an FIA investigation which concluded that Red Bull had not breached any technical regulations, a ruling that has left many in the paddock questioning the integrity of the oversight.
The controversy began to gain traction ahead of the United States Grand Prix when rival teams including McLaren raised concerns about the legality of Red Bull ride height adjustment device. The device reportedly enables changes to the front bib clearance, a feature that could provide a competitive edge if utilized during restricted conditions.
Wolff described the situation as “outrageous,” claiming that such a mechanism should not exist on a F1 car, especially one competing under strict regulations designed to ensure fairness.
“From what I’ve seen and heard, it’s outrageous,” Wolff articulated his frustrations at the United States Grand Prix.
His comments reflect a broader sentiment among other teams which feel that the FIA investigation was insufficient. Despite Red Bull’s assurances that they have not used the device illegally and that it would require dismantling parts of the car to access it, doubts remain about how such a device went unnoticed by FIA officials during prior inspections.
The FIA’s response to the allegations included sealing the device to prevent its use moving forward. However, Wolff remains skeptical about this resolution and questioned why such a device was designed in the first place and why it had not been detected earlier.
“I think we’re all designing parts that are F1 standard, and that are to the highest specifications that are within the regulations,” he noted.
“Sometimes on things like aero elasticity, you would probably try to go as far as you can but there’s other things overall and certain parts where you would question why they exist.
“Why would you design such a thing and put two marks on it for two positions, like you want to (change things)? Is that the precise decision-making in F1?”
Wolff’s critique extended to how Red Bull demonstrated their compliance with FIA regulations during a recent inspection. He sarcastically remarked on their use of a broom as part of their demonstration to illustrate how the device could be adjusted.
“I really like that when they put this real broom [device] in the car to demonstrate that that is the only way of that getting changed,” he quipped, highlighting his belief that Red Bull’s explanations were more theatrical than substantive. “I wonder how long it took them to make this up, and to stick it in there.”
The implications of the controversy surrounding the Red Bull ride height adjustment device are significant as F1 approaches critical races in the championship season with only five rounds to go.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen currently leads the drivers’ championship standings after the United States Grand Prix by a substantial margin over McLaren’s Lando Norris. However, the Woking-based outfit has taken the lead in the Constructors’ Championship, closely followed by Ferrari.
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Red Bull’s device could influence team strategies and performance as they navigate these high-stakes races.
The FIA has maintained that their investigations concluded without evidence of wrongdoing by Red Bull Racing. Head of single-seater racing Nikolas Tombazis stated that there was no indication of illegal use of the device and labeled it a “non-story” following their findings.
However, this stance has not quelled concerns among rival teams who feel that further scrutiny is warranted. As Wolff prepares for upcoming races, including the Mexican Grand Prix, he emphasizes the need for clarity and accountability from both Red Bull and the FIA.
“I cannot speak for the FIA at all… I cannot speak for Nikolas,” he added. “Obviously, that’s something that’s been not spotted for a long time.
“But I think the leadership of the FIA is going to look at that, and say, ‘What are we doing with this?'”
Meanwhile Red Bull team boss Christian Horner defends his squad amid the ongoing controversy.
“It [the Red Bull ride height adjustment device] is on a list of the open-source components,” he told Sky Sports. “So, it’s been publicly available for the last three years.
“The FIA are happy with it. I think [the investigation] is just to satisfy perhaps some paranoia elsewhere in the paddock. Every car has a tool that they can adjust the front of the bib with.”
READ MORE: Explained: How Red Bull front ride height device works and why it didn’t trigger FIA penalty
