McLaren boss insists Red Bull F1 explanation 'doesn't stack up' as FIA intervene

McLaren team principal Zak Brown says that explanation for their 'doesn't stack up' and warned their Formula 1 rivals of 'massive consequences'.

Red Bull star leads McLaren's by 52 points in the Drivers' Championship with nine races to go, while their teams are also fighting for the Constructors' Championship. They've been battling it out for most of the 2024 season and forged a rivalry which has led to .

It was confirmed on Thursday ahead of this weekend's that Red Bull have agreed a plan with the to make alterations to their car following talks with F1's governing body.

were among the various teams who suspected that a device on the Red Bull's RB20 could enable them to change the car's ride height via the bib at the front of the floor when in parc ferme conditions, therefore gaining an advantage. This would be a breach of the sport's regulations.

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Red Bull have confirmed the existence of the device but insist that it can't be used for anything advantageous and isn't accessible when their RB20 is fully assembled. Team principal later claimed in an interview that he believes the FIA have taken action to 'perhaps satisfy some paranoia elsewhere in the paddock'.

Brown, however, questioned Red Bull's public comments and told : "Ingenuity is part of Formula 1, and then there are black-and-white rules. You cannot touch your race car, other than for things like driver comfort.

"They chose their words very carefully, saying 'when the car is fully assembled', but you're allowed to not have the car fully assembled in parc ferme when you're working on driver comfort.

"Also, what doesn't quite stack up is the comment that you can't modify it. Well then why does the FIA feel they need to put a seal on it? If it's not accessible post or during parc ferme, then why put a seal on it?"

The McLaren boss concluded: "So, I'm very happy to see the FIA is on it. I think it needs to be a very thorough investigation because, if you touch your car from a performance standpoint after parc ferme or in parc ferme, that is a black and white, material, substantial breach, which comes with massive consequences."

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In a fiery defence, Red Bull advisor came out fighting and declared to Sky Italia: "It's completely legal and it was known to all the other teams because you know we had informed the FIA about that.

"I guess nearly every team has it. And you can't change it between qualifying and the race, so that's the main thing. So, nothing illegal. I don't know why so much fuss is being made about it. I think someone is trying to take away the attraction of some other issues."

A statement from the FIA issued this week said: "Any adjustment of the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations," said the FIA statement. While we have not received any indication of any team employing such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to enhance the policing of the sport.

"As part of this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified. In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide further assurance of compliance."