McLaren demands in-depth investigation into Red Bull trick

Zak Brown has called for the FIA to investigate Red Bull's in-car system which can adjust the front bib clearance, a device the McLaren CEO deems as being "highly illegal". 

Ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix, it was reported that one team was under scrutiny for having a device which could alter a car's ride height between qualifying and the race. 

Following the reports, it was discovered that the team in question was Red Bull. The Milton Keynes-based team revealed that it had held discussions with the FIA regarding the device, to ensure it remained within the technical regulations.

As revealed by Brown, Red Bull acknowledging the existence of the device did not come as a surprise. 

"I think they probably had no choice, because there are published, what are called open source components, OSC, where all the teams can see what each other do," Brown told Sky Sports F1.

"And you have to submit the drawings to the FIA, and all the teams have access if it's an open source component. So anyone, every team, which is what we do, we look and you can see it. 

"So I think there was no denying that they have the ability to access their front bib from inside the car, that's undisputed. So I think they had no choice but to say 'Yes, we can'. 

"From what we've seen, we know we can't, we don't have the access, it's not designed that way, and from what we see the other eight teams don't. So I think they [Red Bull] had no choice."

Brown 'happy' with FIA

With Red Bull having confirmed that the device exists, the big question is whether it has been used during the season. 

The outfit are second in the constructors' standings behind McLaren, who it is in a close battle with. 

When asked if he felt Red Bull had been actively using the system, Brown questioned: "Why would you design it to be inside the car, when for the other nine teams it's designed to be outside the car. 

"Ingenuity is part of F1, and then there are black and white rules. You cannot touch your race car, other than things like driver comfort. 

"They chose their words very carefully saying 'when the car is fully assembled', but you're allowed to not have the car fully assembled in parc fermé when you're working on driver comfort."

What has confused Brown is the wording used by Red Bull in accepting the existence of the device.

Red Bull explained that it cannot be modified, making Brown question why the governing body feel the need to look into it. 

"Also, what doesn't quite stack up is the comment that you can't modify it," added Brown. "Well, then why do the FIA feel they need to put a seal on it? 

"If it's not accessible post or during parc fermé, then why put a seal on it? So I'm very happy to see the FIA is on it. 

"I think it needs to be a very thorough investigation, because if you touch your car from a performance standpoint after parc fermé, or in parc fermé, that is a black and white, material, substantial breach, which comes with massive consequences. 

"Touching your car after parc fermé is highly illegal within the rules, so I think the FIA needs to get to the bottom of were they, weren't they [using it]?"