Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has accused McLaren of "paranoia" and "moaning" over an issue he feels has been blown out of all proportion.
A spotlight has been thrown onto a ride-height adjustment system on the RB20, its secretive location in the footwell, and the possibility it has been illegally used in parc fermé conditions between qualifying and a grand prix.
Ride height is crucial. The lower the car in qualifying, the more downforce is generated and the greater the lap time. For a race, with 100 kilograms of fuel on board, a car needs to be raised to provide ground clearance and avoid wear on the skid block.
Concerns were raised about the Red Bull device following the Singapore Grand Prix, and following discussions with the FIA, world motor sport's governing body has changed its procedures, leading to the system inside the Red Bull being sealed.
Horner is adamant his team is acting within the rules and has nothing to hide.
"Every car has a tool that they can adjust the front of the bib, and ours is located at the front, in front of the footwell, it's been there for over three years," said Horner, speaking to Sky Sports F1.
"You have to get the pedals out, as well as other panels and pipework to be able to get to it. So it's like any other adjustment on the car.
"It would be easier to adjust a rear roll bar than it is to get to that component. It's all part of the packaging in the front end of the chassis."
As to why, though, the FIA felt the need to seal the component if there was nothing untoward, Horner added: "Because I think there's been a bit of moaning from one of our rivals, and it's the FIA's job to look into these things.
"It's on a list of the open-source components, so it's been publicly available, for the last three years. The FIA are happy with it. I think it's just to satisfy perhaps some paranoia elsewhere in the paddock."
Viewed by others:
Suggested to Horner that it was, in fact, a complete non-story, he added: "I feel sometimes to distract from what's going on in your own house, then sometimes you try and light a fire somewhere else."
Horner confirmed initial discussions were held with the FIA in Singapore, but questioned the timing as device has been in 'plain sight' via the open-source component documents for three years.
"The FIA have looked at, and they're more than happy with it," he said. "They're totally happy with it.
"There are probably about 600 items on the car that are fully adjustable. Everybody can adjust these elements. What you can't do is adjust them during parc fermé and that is what hasn't happened.
"As I say, it would be easier to adjust a floor stay, a roll bar or a push rod length than strip out the pedals. We have cameras watching the cars. We have scrutineers and witnesses watching the cars.
"Our car has come under more scrutiny in the last three years than any other car in the pit lane, so we're totally comfortable."
Most read
In this article
Join the conversation!