Photo: McLaren
Oscar Piastri accuses Red Bull of breaking F1 rules with controversial parc ferme trick
Tereza Hořínková
News.gp journalist and a girl with big dreams
McLaren's Oscar Piastri has indicated that Red Bull's secret adjustments to its car's ride height between qualifying and the main race breach F1 regulations.
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Before the Austin weekend, a report revealed that one F1 team is being looked into for using a device to adjust the car's ride height between qualifying and the race, which is against F1 rules.
It was quickly revealed that Red Bull was the team using the device. However, the current world champions have confirmed that they are in talks with the FIA about the issue and will make changes to their car.
Red Bull is currently involved in not one but two title battles with McLaren. The team from Woking leads of 41 points the Constructors’ Championship and on the other hand, Max Verstappen is 52 points ahead of Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship.
As the tension grows, it is normal in F1 to push the boundaries of technical regulations, but McLaren’s other driver, Oscar Piastri, believes that the Red Bull device crosses the line.
“I didn't know that Red Bull admitted to it,” said Piastri quoted by RacingNews365.
“It's not really for me to get involved in. I don't really know much about it.
“We’re obviously pushing the boundaries of the technical regulations, everyone is.
“It’s what makes F1, F1 - but from what I've heard and been told, something like this is not pushing the boundaries. It's clearly breaking them.”
Piastri's teammate Lando Norris expressed optimism that finding out about the system could strengthen McLaren's place at the top of the standings.
“If it has been helping them, if they've utilised it in a way people think they have, then maybe it will shift in our direction.
“There's a difference between black-and-white stuff like this, and there's a difference between Formula 1 and pushing the boundaries and creating new things and innovating within the space that you're allowed to innovate.
“I think that's what we, as McLaren, have done a very good job in, but we're sure not to go any further than that.”
While McLaren isn’t planning to introduce any major upgrades on their car at the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull is preparing to launch a set of improvements in hopes of regaining the lead in the Constructors' Championship.
