Red Bull react to T-tray scandal: “The system exists, but in agreement with the FIA”. Red Bull has admitted the existence of the device that allows for ground clearance adjustment.

Red Bull has admitted the existence of the device that allows for ground clearance adjustment but emphasized two key aspects of the story: the fact that it cannot be used when the car is assembled and that, together with the FIA, they have already agreed on a plan for the future. Meanwhile, the FIA will introduce specific checks on the T-tray.

Red Bull has acknowledged that their cars are equipped with a system that adjusts the height of the T-tray, but stressed that the device cannot be used once the car is assembled. A team representative confirmed that “the device exists but becomes unusable once the car is fully assembled and ready to hit the track. In the many exchanges of information we’ve had with the FIA, we’ve discussed this aspect and agreed on a plan for the future.”

Part of the mystery has therefore been officially revealed. Already on Wednesday evening, Red Bull was rumored to be the team under scrutiny, a rumor confirmed yesterday by the world champion team. As expected, the issue was a major topic of discussion in the paddock, but it remains unclear which team pressured the FIA into taking action.

After analyzing the case, the FIA has decided to act, and starting this weekend, specific checks will be introduced to monitor the T-tray’s height between qualifying and the race. Suspicions raised immediately after the Singapore weekend pointed to the possibility of adjusting the device’s height using a system activated from within the cockpit during the routine checks teams perform on Sunday morning. This activity is monitored by a FIA technical delegate (one person is present in each garage), but a simple movement inside the cockpit by a mechanic can easily go unnoticed.

The action itself would be allowed during free practice sessions but becomes prohibited once the cars enter parc fermé conditions, that is, from the end of qualifying until the conclusion of the race weekend. According to information gathered in the Austin paddock, discussions took place during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend between the FIA and the teams involved, to ensure that nothing illegal was done to the cars at Marina Bay. The FIA told motorsport.com that there is no evidence that Red Bull actually adjusted the device while the car was under parc fermé conditions, but to fully close the case, targeted checks in the suspect area will be introduced starting with the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend.