Max Verstappen put together a crucial lap to take Pole Position in COTA Sprint qualifying. However, the attention surrounding Red Bull heading into this weekend has been far from positive. Rivals still want clarity on their controversial ‘bib’ device and its previous use – including Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.
Ferrari eager for more information about Red Bull device
As the 3rd-placed team in the standings, Ferrari have a vested interest in ensuring Red Bull’s ride-height altering device has not been used illegally.
The Italian squad are still, at least theoretically, fighting for the Constructors title. They are only 34 points behind Red Bull, which is a deficit that can be overturned in just one race weekend.
Because of this, Fred Vasseur is understandably interested to see what conclusions the FIA’s investigation brings.
Vasseur explains significance of possible breach
Whilst there is no evidence that Red Bull have broken the rules, Vasseur makes clear that clarification is necessary:
“We have to trust the FIA on this one,” he explained to Sky Sports.
“I don’t want to make any comments on rumours and so, because I don’t know what’s happened.
“I don’t know if they used it or not. But if they used it, it’s clearly cheating – it’s not a grey area or whatever.
“We’ve had tonnes of grey area from the beginning of the season. If this is the case, it wouldn’t be a grey area at all.
“But we have to trust the FIA, and let’s see.”
As outlined previously by LWOS, Red Bull have already committed to making changes for the upcoming rounds – following conversations with the FIA.
However, it remans unclear to what extent the Austrian squad benefited from their device previously. It will be difficult for the FIA to determine if their bib trick, capable of illegally changing ride height after qualifying, was ever used.
Regardless, the likes of Ferrari and McLaren will search for more information on this issue.
Red Bull are completely confident that their procedures throughout 2024 have been within the rules. As the stewards prepare to enforce tighter inspections, they hope to put this matter to bed in the foreseeable future.
