By otakuyassine3@gmail.com 
Red Bull have made a change to their car over a contentious ride-height device after talks with the FIA ahead of this weekend’s United States GP.
In a fresh technical controversy on the sport’s arrival in Austin where the fierce title battle between Red Bull and McLaren is poised to resume, it emerged that Formula 1’s governing body had been made aware by some teams of the presence of a device on a rival’s car – which Red Bull later confirmed was theirs – which they suspected could possibly allow the team to change its ride height via the ‘bib’ at the front of the floor when in restricted ‘parc ferme’ conditions.
Cars are placed in parc ferme from the start of qualifying to before the race, with no fundamental set-up changes allowed The only bodywork that can be adjusted is on the front wing using existing parts, while ride-height changes are prohibited.
A Red Bull spokesperson confirmed in a statement that their RB20 did contain such a ride-height device but said it could not be used for anything untoward as it was not accessible to use when the car was fully assembled.
“Yes, [it] exists, although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run,” said the Red Bull spokesperson.
“In the numerous correspondence we have with the FIA, this part came up and we have agreed a plan going forward.”
In an earlier statement in a story first reported by Autosport, the FIA earlier said it had “not received any indication of any team employing such a system”.
Still, the governing body made clear the use of any such device would be against the regulations and that it was increasing its monitoring to make sure no such systems were being used.
“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.”
Although such a device would not be considered illegal if it was used during practice, it is prohibited under the sport’s strict parc ferme regulations which come into force from qualifying.
Norris: ‘Maybe it will shift in our direction’
McLaren driver Lando Norris, who trails Max Verstappen by 52 points in the world title chase, was asked in Thursday’s Drivers’ Press Conference whether the controversy could in any way aid his title challenge over the remainder of the season.
“It’s one thing having it on your car, it’s another thing on how much you exploit it and use it, which we have no idea on,” said Norris.
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Lando Norris responds when asked if there could be any advantage to his title bid in the wake of the controversy surrounding Red Bull’s ride-height adjustment device
“If it has been helping them, if they have been utilising it in a way people think they have, maybe it will shift in our direction.
“But, when you talk about things like that, they won’t have got several pole positions or wins because if that device.
“I don’t think it will change anything in the scheme of things. Maybe at certain qualifyings when it has been split by hundredths or thousandths, you might say ‘OK maybe this has helped in this direction or that direction’.”
Sky Sports F1’s live United States GP schedule
Friday October 18
6pm: United States GP Practice One (session starts at 6.30pm*)
8.30pm: Team Principals’ Press Conference
10pm: United States GP Sprint Qualifying (qualifying starts at 10.30pm*)
Saturday October 19
6pm: United States GP Sprint build-up
7pm: United States GP Sprint
8.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
10pm: United States GP Qualifying build-up*
11pm: United States GP Qualifying*
(Sunday) 1am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the United States Grand Prix
Sunday October 20
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event (Sunday’s race build-up from 7.15pm)
Just six races remain in Formula 1 2024 and the season resumes with a Sprint weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin from this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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