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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri is of the opinion that Red Bull breached F1 regulations by adjusting the front bib during parc ferme. The Australian felt that the defending world champions were not pushing the boundaries of the regulations, but breaking them.
On the eve of the 2024 F1 US GP, the FIA banned the alteration of the front bib or the T-ray between race sessions, particularly when the car is in parc ferme. The front bib or T-ray is essentially an aerodynamic part underneath the front wing, behind the front axle. If this part is altered, it can change the ride height of the car, which should not be modified during parc ferme.
It was later known that Red Bull was the team using this loophole and adjusting the T-ray in between race sessions. Since this became a hot topic before the race in Austin, many drivers were asked for their opinions, including Oscar Piastri.
Speaking to the media, the McLaren driver admitted that though all the teams were pushing the boundaries of innovation and technical regulations, he felt that Red Bull was breaking the regulations based on what he was told by his team.
“We're obviously pushing the boundaries of the technical regulations. Everyone is, and that's what makes F1, F1. But from what I've heard and been told, something like this is not pushing the boundaries: it's clearly breaking them," Piastri said (via Motorsport.com)
"I haven't heard which car it's on, or if it's on any car, and obviously there's the reports of it. But if it is something that's being used, it's clearly not been pushing the boundaries. It's been out of the grey area and into a black area," he added.
Lewis Hamilton gives his take on Red Bull's trick to alter front bib height during parc ferme
Lewis Hamilton gave a very different take on Red Bull using an adjustable front bib height feature on the RB20. While Piastri outright felt that the Austrian team broke the rules, the seven-time world champion touched on how Max Verstappen's team has been at the forefront of innovation.
Speaking to F1.com, Hamilton went on to talk about innovation being at the core of the sport and that every team tried to find loopholes in the regulations. He also wondered whether an adjustable T-ray helped the Milton Keynes-based team in previous championships or not.
“I’ve only just heard about it, before I got here. But I think the name of our sport is all about innovation. Red Bull have been the leaders and they’ve innovated. Ultimately all the teams look at the rules and try to find how to massage those rules and get the most out of it,” Hamilton said.
"At the end of the day they did a better job. God knows how long they’ve had that, and they’ve been winning championships. Maybe that stops now… I don’t think that’s the one thing that’s going to stop them," he added.
As of now, the FIA has not levied any penalty or fine against Red Bull for using the adjustable front bib.
