Verstappen rejects Red Bull banned brakes theory

Max Verstappen has denied Red Bull previously had a now-prohibited asymmetrical braking system on the RB20.

Ahead of the summer break, the FIA moved to outlaw any such approach by adding wording to Article 11.2.1 of F1's technical regulations.

Previously, the passage simply read: "The brake system must be designed so that within each circuit, the forces applied to the brake pads are the same magnitude and act as opposing pairs on a given brake disc."

However, the added clause provides greater clarity for teams, with the following wording tacked onto the end of the existing item: "Any system or mechanism which can produce systematically or intentionally, asymmetric braking torques for a given axle is forbidden."

This change, which was ratified by all F1 teams at the most recent meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, prompted a flurry of speculation as to what might have triggered the supplementary wording.

It was reported that Red Bull had previous operated a similar system, which was within the confines of the regulations, before removing it ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. It was also rumoured to be the case of Verstappen's retirement in Melbourne.

However, the FIA denied the alteration was as a result of any F1 team using an asymmetrical braking system - something the Dutchman has since corroborated.

"I don't know where that came from [the speculation]," he told select Dutch media including RacingNews365. "We don't have it on the car either, so we don't worry about it."

When asked if Red Bull did earlier in the season, he replied: "No."