The current F1 season has been marked by some controversy. Recently, the FIA issued a statement regarding the Red Bull T-Tray, fully clearing the Austrian team of any potential wrongdoing. This development followed a series of doubts and disputes that emerged just before the United States Grand Prix in Austin—a race that saw Charles Leclerc and Ferrari pull off a stunning double victory, with Carlos Sainz finishing second. This result not only surprised everyone but also gave a major boost to Ferrari’s challenge in the Constructors’ Championship.
After the autumn break, the Milton Keynes-based team found itself at the center of a dispute over the possibility of altering the setup of the RB20 (we’ll put it simply, for clarity) during the closed park period, by adjusting the front height. This device, available to all teams, was allegedly being used by Red Bull in a way that was different from others—specifically, it was claimed that a mechanic could manually adjust it using a lever near the pedal area.
The issue arose when suspicions emerged: adjusting the setup of an F1 car during the closed park period—an established rule for the past 20 years—would be a serious violation. Such an action would result in immediate disqualification, without much debate, as altering the car’s setup after qualifying, before the race, is inherently unsporting.
Of course, we’re not talking about massive changes between the two sessions, but rather subtle adjustments that could make a significant difference over the course of a race. However, as things stand, there’s no definitive proof. No one can say with certainty that Red Bull intentionally altered the front height of their car between qualifying and the race in multiple weekends—there’s simply no way to prove this.
McLaren’s Zak Brown expresses doubts about the FIA
The FIA cleared Red Bull of any wrongdoing, confirming that the team had not used the T-Tray to alter the car’s height during the closed park period. This informal verdict came just days after McLaren’s accusations, and by the time the US Grand Prix took place, the matter appeared to be resolved, at least on the surface.
However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown remains unconvinced. In the weeks following the FIA’s ruling, he has continued to cast doubt on Red Bull’s practices. The American has called on former Red Bull personnel—those who have recently moved to new teams—to potentially reveal any hidden secrets about Adrian Newey’s recent car designs.
“I’d like to see senior executives, former chief mechanics, and current mechanics sign an affidavit confirming that they never used or were aware of the use of such a device,” Brown said, suggesting that Red Bull may have something to hide. It’s clear that Brown, frustrated with Red Bull and Christian Horner in particular, has yet to accept the FIA’s ruling—much like team principal Andrea Stella did after the FIA’s first response.
FIA concludes investigation into Red Bull T-Tray
The investigation ultimately dismissed the initial suspicions, which had been supported by Red Bull’s own explanations. The team clarified that the suspected movement of the T-Tray could only occur when the car was disassembled. The FIA, after failing to find any concrete evidence to back McLaren’s accusations, officially closed the case, confirming that Red Bull’s operations were fully compliant with the rules. With this decision, the governing body aimed to put the matter to rest, assuring transparency and confirming the technical legality of the cars in competition.
In F1, suspicions are part and parcel of the sport, particularly when multiple teams are battling for supremacy on track. It’s not uncommon for former team members to pass information along to rival teams, which could explain how McLaren’s accusations were born.
However, the one person who is not emerging from this situation looking particularly good is Zak Brown, who has continued to challenge the FIA’s decisions—a body whose rulings are rarely questioned. Perhaps it’s time for him to rethink his approach, lower the rhetoric, and focus on improving McLaren’s on-track performance. After all, continuing to clash with an immovable force risks becoming a counterproductive exercise.
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