Red Bull Racing is under the spotlight as the United States Grand Prix kicks off, following the revelation of a device capable of adjusting the front bib height on the RB20.
Both Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen addressed the issue during the press conference, defending the team against the accusations. Meanwhile, the team is preparing to test new upgrades for the Austin GP, with Verstappen cautious about the impact these updates might have.
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Perez and Red Bull’s cheating allegations
Earlier this week on Thursday, a hot topic lit up the paddock: Red Bull was accused of using a device to modify the front bib height between qualifying and the race. I talked about it in this article. This practice, if proven true, would clearly violate parc fermé regulations. Sergio Perez was quick to deny these accusations. “There’s nothing we do with that. In fact, we’ve never even talked about it,” said the Mexican driver, firmly convinced that this device has never been used under parc fermé rules. The debate sparked after the FlA announced its intention to tighten controls to prevent illegal manipulations between sessions. While some, like Lewis Hamilton, praised Red Bull’s technical innovation, others, like Oscar Piastri, expressed doubts. According to Perez, such suspicions are common in Formula 1, where each team watches its rivals closely, and it’s completely normal in a sport where innovation is key to performance. However, he admitted that the increased scrutiny from the FlA could influence how the weekend plays out. “I think it’s up to the FIA to decide whether it’s legal or not,” Perez added.
Verstappen on the expected upgrades for the Pirelli United States Grand Prix
At the same time, Max Verstappen shared his thoughts on Red Bull’s upgrade package for the United States Grand Prix. Although these updates have been touted as significant, the three-time world champion remains cautious about the results. “I haven’t tried it in the simulator yet, so we’ll see how it goes,” Verstappen said. Despite the team’s excitement, Verstappen doesn’t expect drastic changes. He reminds us that on tracks like Singapore, where Red Bull struggled, they shouldn’t expect automatic dominance. “We’ve already had some limitations with this car throughout the year. Now, we’re trying to improve it, but don’t expect everything to change overnight,” he explained. He’s right to be cautious, in my opinion—better to surprise than to disappoint fans. The upcoming sprint weekend also complicates matters for the engineers, with only one practice session to test the new parts. That means less time to fine-tune the F1 car, so Verstappen stresses the need to rely on the data collected during this short session.
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Red Bull Racing and McLaren in a strategic battle
As Red Bull gears up for the Pirelli United States Grand Prix, the team is keeping a close eye on its rivals, especially McLaren. With impressive performances from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in recent races, and the English team climbing back to the top of the standings, the pressure is on Red Bull to maintain Verstappen’s lead. While the new parts on the RB20 have yet to show their full potential, Verstappen knows he’ll need to step up, especially against a rising McLaren team. On the other hand, Perez is confident that the FIA will make the right decisions and avoid any unnecessary controversy. For him, this situation is a classic example of the fierce rivalry in Formula 1, where every technical detail can tip the scales in the championship. I think he’s right here too, considering that just three races ago in Azerbaijan, the situation surrounding the use of a tricky part was the exact opposite with McLaren.
This article explores the current situation surrounding Red Bull’s front bib adjustment device just days before the US Grand Prix. It looks at both Verstappen’s cautious optimism regarding the team’s upgrades and Perez’s firm denial of any illegal activity.
Images: Red Bull Content Pool
Source: Motorsport.com
