FIA Takes Action After Front Bib Trick Rumours

The FIA has begun to take action after multiple teams raised their suspicions that one or more competitors were in breach of parc fermé regulations. The rumours suggest that an unnamed team has discovered a way to adjust the height of the front bib of their car in between qualifying and race sessions. 

The front bib of a Formula One car, otherwise known as a ‘T-tray’ is a key aerodynamic component, directing underfloor airflow to either side of the car, as well as acting as a mounting point for the plank.

Lowering such a device could come with huge performance benefits, “perfecting the different ride height requirements between a low-fuel single-lap run and the needs for a heavier car over a race distance” (Autosport). 

It has been suggested that the team in breach of the regulations has discovered a design loophole, allowing them to make such a change using cockpit adjustments that would be inconspicuous to outside observers.

De Telegraaf claims that Red Bull is the team that has been accused of using such a tactic, though the Milton Keynes-based outfit denies all claims. Although no cars have yet to be declared illegal, the FIA has made regulatory adjustments ahead of the US Grand Prix to ensure teams don’t use this trick in the future. 

Meanwhile, Helmut Marko trusts that “from Austin onwards, we [Red Bull] have a package which should make us more or even really competitive”.

With McLaren in the lead of the Constructors Championship and Ferrari closing in, Red Bull needs all the performance they can get to try to get back on top.