Wolff slams Red Bull’s front bib system as 'Outrageous'

Red Bull faces renewed scrutiny over their controversial front bib adjustment device, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff describing the system as "outrageous" amid growing concerns about its technical compliance.

The debate surrounding Red Bull's front ride height adjustment mechanism intensified during the United States Grand Prix weekend, where the FIA implemented additional monitoring measures on the championship-leading team's hardware.

Technical controversy emerges

At the heart of the controversy is a tool-operated device that allows Red Bull to modify their car's front bib height.

While such adjustability is permitted within the regulations, any modifications under parc ferme conditions would constitute a clear breach of the rules.

The FIA responded to these concerns by applying a seal to the device throughout the Austin race weekend, ensuring no alterations could be made between qualifying and the race.

Red Bull has subsequently committed to implementing more permanent modifications to their car later in the season.

Mercedes Raises Suspicions

Wolff, whose Mercedes team has engaged in numerous technical disputes with Red Bull in recent years, expressed strong skepticism about the true purpose of the device.

"My view is, from the distance of what I've seen and what I've heard, it's outrageous,"

Wolff stated, questioning why such an elaborate system would be necessary for simple ride height adjustments.

The Mercedes chief highlighted the sophisticated nature of Formula 1 engineering, suggesting the presence of such a mechanism raised red flags.

"Sometimes on things like aero elasticity, you would probably try to go as far as you can — but there's other things overall and certain parts where you would question why they exist,"

he elaborated.

The 'bugs bunny' device

Perhaps most contentious is the tool Red Bull presented to the FIA for adjusting the mechanism.

Rival teams have dubbed the two-foot-long socket the 'Bugs Bunny' device, suggesting its cartoonish nature seems at odds with F1's cutting-edge technology.

"I really like that when they put this real broom [device] in the car to demonstrate that that is the only way of that getting changed! I wonder how long it took them to make this up,"

Wolff remarked sarcastically.

Future implications

While FIA head of single-seater matters Nikolas Tombazis has indicated the case is closed, having found no evidence of past misuse, Wolff suggests higher authorities within the governing body, including President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, may face pressure to investigate further.

"I cannot speak for the FIA at all,"

Wolff noted.

"Obviously, that's something that's been not spotted for a long time. But I think the leadership of the FIA is going to look at that, and say, 'What are we doing with this?'"