Red Bull found itself under scrutiny ahead of the race weekend in Austin. Several teams had lodged complaints about an alleged feature on the RB20, which allowed the ride height to be adjusted from the cockpit. In consultation with the FIA, the car will be modified in the near future. Lewis Hamilton defends Red Bull, arguing that the team is simply innovating.
The seven-time world champion only found out on Thursday that his competitors were using an ‘illegal’ trick. “I had just heard about it,” he told Sky Sports. “But in our sport, it’s all about innovation. Red Bull has been the championship leader for a long time, so they have to innovate.” The FIA had a different view; no harsh measures were taken, but the RB20 will be modified.
“In the end, all teams look at the rules and try to find a way to bend them to their advantage,” Hamilton explained. “You always have to get the most out of the car, even if that means pushing the boundaries. That evolution is part of it, as long as everything is properly controlled.” Hamilton, however, does not expect Red Bull to find their way to the top with these kinds of tricks. “They’ve done much better in recent years, but perhaps that period of dominance is over,” he suggested. “It’s now up to the other teams to innovate and take the lead.”
