More challenges ahead for Red Bull

24/07/2012

Mat Coch writes:

Questions surrounding the legality of Red Bull's engine map remain unanswered, despite stewards declaring it legal in Hockenheim. Referred to the stewards by the FIA, Red Bull successful argued that its system did not contravene the letter of the law in using a specific engine map which limited the torque available to its drivers to gain an aerodynamic advantage.

With no clarification from the FIA it remains possible that Red Bull could be challenged again at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. Although deemed legal in Hockenheim the decision made by the stewards applied only to the German Grand Prix, meaning it is therefore possible that the stewards in Hungary interpret the regulations differently.

Teams met on Monday for a scheduled Technical Working Group, the Red Bull engine map one of the topics understood to have been discussed as rival teams look to either mimic or ban the system as quickly as possible.

Speaking in Germany McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh voiced his concerns over Red Bull's development. "If now it is a decision that you're allowed to do that then everyone is going to spend a lot of money to be running that sort of map and doing that as quick as they can."

Given the sport deliberately wrote regulations banning exhaust-blowing as a means of developing downforce it seems likely that the system will be outlawed. The question however remains whether that ban comes via a clarification from the sport's governing body or courtesy of tightened technical regulations for 2014.