FIA insists ‘no investigation’ into Red Bull suspension
After the Renault-powered RB6 dominated qualifying in Melbourne last Saturday, McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh hinted the car could be concealing a controversial ride-height adjustment system.
Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn then called for the governing body to look into the matter "just in fairness to Red Bull" due to the "accusations".
"I think it is necessary for the FIA just to clarify where we stand," he added.
Red Bull's Christian Horner, having denied the Adrian Newey-designed car features the system, said he would welcome the move.
The Swiss newspaper Blick, whose F1 correspondent is the vastly experienced Roger Benoit, reported this week that the FIA "is now investigating" whether the Red Bull is somehow adjusting its ride-height depending on the amount of fuel in the tank.
"Whether there is a decision before the Malaysian grand prix is open," read the report.
But according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, an FIA spokesman said in Sepang: "There is no investigation."
With rumors insisting that the Red Bull car is somehow regulating its ride height between qualifying and the race, the report said an investigation will only occur if a team lodges an official protest.
03/27/10 (GMM) Red Bull team boss Christian Horner late on Saturday denied that the RB6 car is running a controversial ride-height adjustment system.
After Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber dominated qualifying in Melbourne, McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh suggested they had been boosted by a system that allowed the cars to remain low to the ground despite the huge load of fuel that must now be added for Sunday's race.
Whitmarsh said he had "evidence of ride-height control systems" being in use, "which many people wouldn't have thought were permissible", and that McLaren would therefore have to also design one.
But Red Bull's Horner told the BBC that he could "absolutely guarantee" the RB6 has no such system.
It must be noted that Whitmarsh had said after qualifying that he thought "some cars" – not just the Red Bull – were running a ride-height system.
Before leaving Albert Park late on Saturday, Mercedes' Ross Brawn indicated that he is aware of the claims about the systems, and encouraged the FIA to make a ruling.
Horner, meanwhile, hinted that sour grapes might be in play, after he was the one who blew the whistle on McLaren's F-duct prior to Bahrain.
"There are funny things happening at McLaren — Lewis managing Mark, Ron reckoning we have a fuel problem and now Martin reckons we have a ride-height control," said the Briton.