T-Tray setup changes in Parc Fermé: Red Bull under accusation, but team denies it. Red Bull has been accused by other teams of modifying the setup, altering the T-Tray.

Parc Fermé setups, Red Bull in the spotlight
Formula 1 is back, and so are the controversies. The Thursday leading up to the Austin Grand Prix opened with rumors in Italy suggesting that a team had used a trick to change setups under Parc Fermé conditions, which is strictly forbidden as it allows a team to avoid compromises between qualifying and the race.

In the paddock at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Red Bull was named as the team allegedly involved in this tactic, where they supposedly altered the “tray” (the T-Tray) located underneath the cockpit. This part is essentially the entrance to the car’s floor, the most important component for generating aerodynamic downforce and performance.

Red Bull’s name reportedly came up during several technical meetings, according to the well-informed Dutch journalist Erik van Haren of *Telegraaf*, who is known for his reliable sources, particularly regarding the Milton Keynes team.

The team’s denial
Red Bull has denied the accusations, emphasizing that all data is uploaded to an FIA server accessible to the teams. If this were true, the guilty party would be identified quickly. The FIA, however, stated in a note that there is currently no evidence of this tactic.