Red Bull under investigation by stewards in Abu Dhabi
The legality of the front wings of Sebastian Vettel's and Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull cars is being challenged and could lead to a sanction from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stewards.
The two Red Bulls are under investigation by the stewards after Jo Bauer, the FIA technical delegate, indicated that he believed the flexibility of the front wings went against the technical regulations.
« When the front wings of cars no. 1 and 3 were checked, it was found that parts of the front wing were designed to be flexible under aerodynamic load. From my point of view, this is in contradiction with Article 3.15 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations. However, I refer this issue to the stewards’ assessment, » Bauer stated in a report.
Representatives of Red Bull, with Adrian Newey, the team’s technical director, at the forefront, are currently being heard by the stewards.
If the cars are deemed illegal, the two drivers will start from the back of the grid. But if a modification is necessary—which would be logical in such a situation—it would be a change of specification that would automatically lead to a start from the pit lane.
The FIA could also go further if the issue is seen as a deliberate intent to break the rules.
