Growing suspicions of a cunning trick to adjust the height of Formula 1 car driving in parc ferme conditions has prompted an immediate FIA response from this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, Autosport can reveal.
Sources have revealed that discussions have taken place between several teams and the FIA over recent weeks to address concerns that an unidentified outfit may have found a clever way to adjust the front bib clearance between qualifying and the race.
Being able to raise and lower the bib, even by a small amount, between qualifying and the race would provide a noticeable advantage in terms of perfecting the different ride height requirements between a low fuel single lap race and the need for a heavier car over a running distance.
But making such an adjustment would be a clear breach of F1’s technical rules, which prohibit changes to the car’s aerodynamic configuration – apart from the front wing – once the car is in parc ferme.
Article 40.2 of F1’s Technical Regulations outlines the components that can be changed and the only bodywork changes allowed are: “The aerodynamic set-up of the front wing can be adjusted using the existing parts. No parts may be added, removed or replaced.”
Article 40.9 adds: “A competitor may not modify any part of the car.”
To ensure that teams do not have devices that allow easy modifications, the rules add: “it must be clear from physical inspection that modifications cannot be made without the use of tools.”
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, the rest of the field at the start
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
However, the suspicions that have arisen are that a team designed its car in such a way that it was possible to adjust the clearance of the front bib – also known as a T-tray – through a change of settings inside the cockpit.
This change in theory could easily be carried out by a mechanic during the normal car assessment work carried out between qualifying and the race, and would be undetected by outside observers.
It is understood that teams have been alerted to the possibility of this happening through the design details of all cars to be uploaded to FIA servers on open source components – which all competitors have access to.
The FIA has taken into account the teams’ concerns about the possibility of such a device and has decided to take action from this weekend’s race in Austin.
But while the governing body is clear that any such device that altered the front bib in parc ferme conditions would be illegal, it says it has received no conclusive evidence that such a trick has been used by anyone in F1.
But with immediate effect, the FIA is changing procedures to check the front bib characteristics of the Austin – and this could include the use of seals on any device used to change the angle of the T-bar.
An FIA spokesperson told Autosport: “Any adjustment of the front bib clearance in parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the rules.
“While we have received no indication that any team is using such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to improve policing of the sport.
Mechanics collect their cars from Parc Ferme after qualifying
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“As part of this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that the front bib clearance cannot be easily altered.
“In some cases, this may involve the use of a seal to provide additional assurance of compliance.”
The revelation of a potential trick system in F1 comes ahead of an intense end to the season, with six races remaining and the outcome of both titles closely contested.