FIA Slams Down On Adjustable Ride Height Debate: “Non-Story”

The Formula 1 paddock recently buzzed with controversy surrounding Red Bull’s adjustable ride height device. FIA head of single seaters, Nikolas Tombazis, has silenced the debate, calling the situation a “non-story” following the governing body’s swift intervention.

Red Bull Under Scrutiny

Red Bull found itself in hot water at the United States Grand Prix after acknowledging the existence of the ride height device in their RB20. McLaren CEO Zak Brown publicly labeled the setup as “highly illegal” if used. The debate escalated when another team alerted the FIA during the Singapore Grand Prix.

FIA officials sprang into action, inspecting Red Bull’s car following practice at Circuit of the Americas. Speculation ran rampant that the device could be manipulated both during and after parc fermé to adjust the RB20’s ride height, a move strictly prohibited by the FIA.

FIA Takes Action

To quell concerns and accusations, the FIA took decisive action by sealing the ride height device. This measure ensures that any attempts to adjust it during parc fermé would be immediately evident.

“That would clearly be illegal under parc fermé regulations. But I would say we didn’t have any clear indication that somebody was doing such a thing. So we said that from this race onwards, there must be no possibility to do such a thing at all.

“So if a team has a design that would allow a quick change of that height, then it will have to be sealed so they cannot have access in parc fermé.

“And I think all teams have adhered to that, and as far as we are concerned, that’s reasonably under control.”

— Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Head of Single Seaters

FIA Remains Unconcerned

With the situation firmly under control, Tombazis expressed complete confidence in their handling of the matter.

“I think it’s certainly not a story from now on,” insisted Tombazis. “We’ve done all that’s needed to stop there being any accusations.”

“Of course, it is a tight championship and people get excited about each other’s cars. But in the present situation, we believe it’s a non-story,” he concluded.

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