Red Bull Faces Fresh Technical Challenge Ahead of United States Grand Prix
Formula One’s return to the Circuit of The Americas kicks off a stretch of six races in eight weeks, marking a critical phase in the 2024 world championship battle. Even before Red Bull and McLaren’s cars hit the track, a new technical issue has emerged.
On Thursday, Red Bull confirmed it had reached an agreement with the FIA regarding the front bib of its RB20 car after technical discussions. This adjustment comes at a pivotal point in the season, where every advantage could impact the championship fight.
Max Verstappen hasn’t won a race since June, and his lead over Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings has narrowed to 52 points. Red Bull now trails McLaren by 41 points in the constructors’ standings after losing its lead following Norris’ dominant win at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Rival teams have raised concerns about Red Bull’s front bib possibly altering the car’s ride height during parc fermé conditions, where no changes to car setup are allowed after qualifying begins. This led the FIA to announce additional checks, including sealing the front bib to ensure compliance with regulations.
Despite these concerns, Red Bull maintains that the bib is not adjustable once the car is fully assembled. A senior team member stated that the device is “inaccessible once the car is ready to run” and confirmed that a plan with the FIA had been agreed upon.
Although technical discussions between teams and the FIA are common, this issue has drawn scrutiny, especially as Red Bull seeks to regain momentum. Both Verstappen and teammate Sergio Pérez downplayed the impact of the technical discussions, asserting that it would not affect their performance.
Verstappen explained that the bib is merely a tool to help adjust the ride height when the car is being assembled. “Once the whole car is built, you can’t touch it,” he said. Pérez added that while he knew about the device, it was “not available” to the team during races.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, meanwhile, acknowledged the FIA’s move but questioned how much of an advantage Red Bull could gain from the device. Although he did not expect it to drastically change the championship race, he welcomed the FIA’s vigilance, noting that small margins have often decided results this season.
As Formula One heads into the United States Grand Prix, teams, including Red Bull, are bringing key upgrades. The Circuit of The Americas, a more traditional track, will provide a better gauge of these updates than recent street circuits like Baku and Singapore.
Verstappen noted that Red Bull’s upgrades stem from learnings at Monza, where he struggled. He and Pérez will have just one hour of practice before sprint qualifying, making this weekend crucial for determining how the final races of the season might unfold.
Verstappen, however, remains calm amid the pressure. “When the car is capable of good results, I’ll deliver results,” he said. “If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. That’s life.”
Top photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
