Red Bull's Legal Troubles: Breaking Laws?

Red Bull has been at the centre of several controversies regarding the legality of their braking systems and devices. In 2024, rumours circulated that Red Bull had been using an illegal braking system, known as a fiddle brake, which utilised asymmetric braking to facilitate corner entry and provide assisted steering. While Red Bull denied these claims, the FIA clarified the technical regulations to explicitly outlaw such systems. Additionally, Red Bull was accused of having a device that could alter the ride height of their car, potentially violating technical regulations. Red Bull acknowledged the presence of the device but insisted it was inaccessible once the car was fully assembled. These controversies have sparked debates about the interpretation of rules and the potential for teams to push the boundaries of what is allowed in Formula One.

Red Bull's braking system

The FIA World Motor Sport Council made changes to the technical regulations, including explicit language prohibiting asymmetrical braking torques. This led to speculation that Red Bull had been using such a system prior to the Miami Grand Prix, as the rule change came into effect on July 31st. However, the FIA clarified that no team, including Red Bull, had been using a banned braking system. The rule change was made to prevent teams from inadvertently falling foul of the regulations in the future, and the previous version of the rule already made asymmetrical braking systems illegal from 2026 onwards.

Despite the FIA's clarification, some F1 commentators and engineers continued to speculate about Red Bull's braking system. Ex-Ferrari boss and F1 commentator, Peter Windsor, believed that Red Bull was running "a clever cross-brake inertia valve" before they were obliged to remove it before Miami. This trick would have provided assisted steering into a corner. F1 tech guru Craig Scarborough also weighed in on the discussion, suggesting that a simple weighted valve in the rear brake splitter could alter the effort between the callipers as the car turns.

However, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen denied that the team had used an asymmetrical braking system. When asked by the media, he replied, "We don't have it on the car either, so we don't worry about it... No." Red Bull engineer Calum Nicholas also labelled the speculation as "bull", attributing Red Bull's performance to the hard work of the team.

While the exact details of Red Bull's braking system remain unclear, the FIA's rule change and subsequent clarification confirm that asymmetrical braking systems are prohibited in Formula One. The speculation and discussion surrounding Red Bull's braking system highlight the importance of adhering to the technical regulations and maintaining a level playing field for all teams.

The FIA's denial

The FIA has denied all rumours that Red Bull was using an illegal braking system. The speculation began when two teams discovered a trick used by Red Bull and asked the FIA for clarification. This was further fuelled by a mid-season change to car design regulations, which led to suggestions that the FIA was responding to Red Bull running an illegal braking system.

The FIA clarified that the rule change was made to prevent teams from falling foul in the future and that no team had been running a banned braking system. They stated that the rule change would have already made such a system illegal from 2026, and the new wording simply made the rules clearer. An FIA spokesperson told Motorsport.com, "There is no truth that any team was using such a system."

Despite the FIA's denial, some have questioned the timing of their statements, suggesting that the intervention was an attempt to calm the waters, although it had the opposite effect. The FIA's urgency to deny the rumours has also been questioned, as it is not common for them to address false news stories in F1.

In response to the allegations, Red Bull engineer Calum Nicholas labelled the claims "bull", attributing Red Bull's performance to the hard work of the team. He also criticised the notion of a big conspiracy, stating that people should "just be giving the other teams the credit they deserve for putting in the work and catching up."

The FIA's response to the situation has been criticised by some, who believe they did not take it seriously enough. However, the FIA stated that they would closely monitor the situation and implement protocols to prevent any regulation breaches. They also took steps to remove the possibility of a device being used in an illegal way, such as applying seals to provide assurance of compliance.

While the FIA has not received any indication of a system being "employed" for parc ferme changes, they acknowledged that it could theoretically be used in a way that would contravene the regulations. As a result, they took action to eliminate this prospect from existence.

Red Bull's front bib clearance device

Red Bull has been at the centre of controversy regarding a front bib ride height adjustment device. The device allows the team to adjust the front bib clearance of the RB20, although not during Grand Prix races given its location. The 'bib' or 'T-tray' is a key aerodynamic component located beneath the car, and adjusting its position affects airflow and how air enters the tunnels under the car's floor.

The existence of such a device was suspected when, ahead of the United States Grand Prix, it was reported that one unnamed team was suspected of exploiting a ride height adjustment system on their cars. This led to the FIA revealing that it was imposing a clampdown on the matter, introducing new procedures to ensure compliance.

Red Bull has admitted that the device exists but has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that it cannot be used while the car is assembled. A senior team representative stated:

> "Yes it exists although it is inaccessible once the car is fully assembled and ready to run. In the numerous correspondence we have with the FIA, this part came up and we have agreed a plan going forward."

The FIA has confirmed that there is no evidence that Red Bull has adjusted the device while the car was under parc ferme conditions. However, they will ramp up monitoring of this aspect of the car to ensure compliance with regulations.

The controversy surrounding Red Bull's front bib clearance device highlights the intense competition between the team and McLaren for the F1 title, with both teams keeping a close watch on each other's activities.

Asymmetric braking

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) denied all rumours that Red Bull had used an asymmetric braking system up until the Miami Grand Prix. This system, aimed at facilitating corner entry, was speculated to have been removed from the RB20 after the Grand Prix.

The FIA clarified that no team on the grid had been using a banned braking system, and that the rule change was made to prevent teams from falling foul in the future. The FIA spokesperson told Motorsport.com:

> There is no truth that any team was using such a system.

The FIA World Motor Sport Council ratified changes to the technical regulations, including additional text to explicitly outlaw asymmetric braking torques. This led to speculation about whether Red Bull had been running such a system on their car prior to the Miami Grand Prix. The brake theory was floated on social media but was then labelled "bull" by Red Bull engineer Calum Nicholas.

The intense speculation arose after the most recent FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting, where a tweak to Article 11.1.2 of F1's Technical Regulations was announced. This expressly forbade:

> Any system or mechanism which can produce systematically or intentionally, asymmetric braking torques for a given axle.

Despite the rumours, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen denied that the team had been running an asymmetric braking system, stating that they did not have it on the car and were not worried about it. When pressed if Red Bull had ever run such a system in 2024, Verstappen said "No".

The FIA's response

The FIA has denied all rumours that Red Bull used an illegal braking system, stating that no team on the grid has been using a banned braking system. They clarified that the recent changes to the technical regulations were made to explicitly outlaw asymmetrical braking torques, which will come into effect from the 2026 season. The FIA spokesperson confirmed that the rule change was made to prevent teams from inadvertently falling foul of the regulations in the future, and the previous system would have already been illegal from 2026.

In response to the specific allegations regarding Red Bull's RB20 model, the FIA stated that the clarification of Article 11.1.2 was made with a view to the 2026 season and not because any team was using an illegal system. They denied that Red Bull was forced to remove an illegal braking system from the RB20 model after the Miami Grand Prix.

The FIA also addressed the issue of Red Bull's front bib clearance device, which can potentially alter the ride height of the car. They swiftly responded to concerns raised by several Formula 1 teams, assuring them that they would closely monitor the situation and implement protocols to prevent any regulation breaches. Red Bull acknowledged the presence of this device and agreed to make changes to their F1 car. The FIA stated that they have implemented procedural adjustments, including the possible application of seals, to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified.

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