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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri Addresses Red Bull’s Front Bib Height Controversy

Oscar Piastri of McLaren has highlighted that any potential use of a device to modify front bib height during parc ferme conditions would constitute a direct violation of Formula 1 regulations, amid ongoing scrutiny of Red Bull Racing.

The lead-up to the United States Grand Prix has sparked debate regarding a component on Red Bull’s car known for its ability to adjust the clearance of the T-tray. While this adjustable feature isn’t illegal in itself, concerns have arisen that it might have been utilized during restricted conditions, which would breach the rules.

Red Bull has denied any misconduct, and the FIA has stated it has found no evidence of infractions by any team related to this mechanism.

In anticipation of a fierce rivalry for the F1 titles with Red Bull, Piastri expressed his views on the matter, asserting that exploiting such a function wouldn’t fall under the category of mere rule interpretation. “We’re obviously pushing the boundaries of the technical regulations,” he noted, “but from what I’ve heard, something like this is not pushing the boundaries: it’s clearly breaking them.”

Piastri further emphasized that if Red Bull’s performance significantly improved, it would raise questions about the legality of the adjustments being made. He recalled that McLaren faced scrutiny for its own mini-DRS rear wing recently. “If there’s a noticeable performance change, then clearly there’ll be some questions,” he remarked.

Lando Norris, Piastri’s teammate, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a major decline in Red Bull’s performance due to an FIA crackdown. However, he conceded that there could be some impact. “It’s one thing having it on your car, it’s another thing on how much you exploit it and use it,” he stated. “If it has been helping them… then maybe it will shift in our direction.”

He also reflected on the overall competitiveness of the season, stating that Red Bull’s numerous victories and pole positions were unlikely to be solely attributable to the potential use of such a device. “They haven’t won just because of this; it’s about their overall performance,” he concluded.

Norris applauded the FIA’s efforts to ensure adherence to regulations, affirming that there is a fine line between legitimate innovation and breaching the rules. “There’s a difference between black-and-white violations and pushing the boundaries in Formula 1,” he noted. “We as McLaren have been good at innovating while staying compliant.”

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