Red Bull are under investigation for allegedly breaking the rules by drying the grid box around Alexander Albon’s car.
Rain fell at the Hungaroring before the race and most drivers, including Albon, used intermediate tyres at the start.A note from FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer said: “The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team artificially dried the grid box of car number 23 [Albon] by using the engine cooling air of their leaf blowers when using these to cool the car engine.
“As this is in contradiction to the Race Directors Notes, document 35, published on 19th July 2020 at 13:56hrs, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”
Prior to the race, race director Michael Masi reminded teams “they are not permitted to use any means to artificially dry the track, including but not limited to grid boxes e.g: blowers, tyre blankets, etc…”
Red Bull have been summoned to a hearing of the stewards at 5:15pm local time. Albon started the race from 13th position.
Team principal Christian Horner said: “I don’t think there’s been anything intentionally done.
“I haven’t spoken with the team manager yet I hope that its a non issue but obviously somebody has reported it so I’ll wait to hear from the team manager.”
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BasCB (@bascb)
19th July 2020, 14:49
Yeah, that does seem a bit wonky. I get that they want to try and help Ablon (and it seems it worked too), but it’s clearly not fair if only they do it
DAllein (@)
19th July 2020, 15:53
I believe RBR will try to defend saying they are protest the rain – it has no right to wet the track under their cars according to current regulations…
You won’t find the article stating it is allowed… so it must be prohibited.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
19th July 2020, 16:03
Didn’t catch it, only the political ads on sky sports f1. In the recent past, some have been penalized for it.
David BR (@david-br)
19th July 2020, 17:02
Should be a definite penalty, sadly for Albon. If FIA allow it, or just impose a financial penalty, won’t all the teams repeat the trick and take the hit? Sky commentators were even talking about DSQ. Not sure why Red Bull think they’ll get away with it given it was specifically ruled out by Masi. His credibility as race director is therefore on the line. Maybe RBR know something we don’t.
DAllein (@)
19th July 2020, 17:17
They thought that as everyone has been warned just before the race, no one would be smart enough to monitor this
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
19th July 2020, 23:36
Two mechanics appear to be indeed doing something with blowers on each side of the car, minutes before the start. Onboard cameras from Albon and Latifi shows some FIA officials come, check it and make a sign that looks like asking to remove those devices.