Red Bull and the Hole of Discord

Crowned with Mark Webber’s victory in the streets of Monaco, which strengthens its position at the top of the constructor’s standings, Red Bull finds itself today at the center of a new technical controversy, a hole in its underbody causing a stir even in the restrooms of the Principality where Jean-Louis Moncet, having gone to relieve a prostatic need, confided on the show F1 à la Une that he had discussed with a member of the Ferrari team about the possibility of a technical protest from McLaren in the event of a victory by one of the two Red Bull drivers.

The cause is a notch in the underbody, just in front of the rear wheels, which appeared on the RB8 of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber during the Bahrain Grand Prix, and towards which the exhaust flow seems directed, channeled by a carbon strip. However, Article 3.12.5 of the FIA technical regulations stipulates that the surface of the floor must be uniform and impervious in certain areas. While covered holes are allowed in some places, the regulations stipulate that no part of the car should be visible when viewed directly from underneath the car.

According to *Autosport*, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes were reportedly prepared to file a post-race protest, as the system was believed to generate more aerodynamic downforce, although a member of the Red Bull team assured *Autosport* that the design of the RB8 had been approved by the FIA. After Mark Webber’s victory, Stefano Domenicali, director of the Scuderia Ferrari, however, denied the rumors, stating that the Maranello team did not intend to protest to the authorities.

Interviewed on Sky, the broadcaster of the Grand Prix in Great Britain, Christian Horner, the director of the Red Bull team, explained that he would have been disappointed in the event of a protest: « It would be a shame for this to happen after the race, but we are completely confident that the car complies with the regulations. We have had clarification that the technical director [of the FIA] agrees with our interpretation. You know, we are quite comfortable with the car we have here, we are doing the same as in other races. So we will see, but it would be disappointing if there were a protest. »

The fact is that Mark Webber’s victory was not subject to any post-race dispute even though teams requested clarifications from the FIA. The website Pitpass.com reports that the decision not to file a protest was made following a meeting between McLaren and Ferrari’s respective technical directors, Paddy Lowe and Pat Fry. However, the issue will be addressed today during a Technical Working Group meeting in Monaco. If, following this technical meeting, the hole is deemed illegal, the Austrian team will be forced to modify its RB8 for the Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled in two weeks, but its two victories, in Bahrain and Monaco, will not be challenged. If, on the contrary, this hole is deemed legal, it’s highly probable that most teams will incorporate it in their upcoming developments.

A spokesperson for the FIA assured that there were arguments on both sides and therefore a position will have to be taken.