Horner: Ride height device has been there over three years

The defending Formula 1 champions have been in the midst of another controversy as it was revealed that the FIA have been investigating their ride height or bib (front floor) height adjustment device as rival teams have questioned its position and that Red Bull may have been able to change the ride height in parc ferme conditions, which would have been illegal.

The FIA claimed they are happy Red Bull have not violated any rules and even out a seal on the device in Austin while McLaren CEO Zak Brown demanded more answers, which is understandable as he would make use of any chance to enhance his team's chances in their fight with Red Bull as Lando Norris chases Max Verstappen in the F1 drivers' championship.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner gave his take on the matter; he said: "Every car has a tool that they can adjust what we call the front of the floor, being the bib, and ours is located at the front in front of the footwell. It has been there, I think, for over three years.

"You've got to have the pedals out, other panels, and pipework out in order to get to it. So it's like any other adjustment on the car; it would be easier to adjust a rear roll bar than it is to get to that component.

"It's all part of the packaging in the front end of the chassis," the Briton insisted.

Asked why the FIA asked Red Bull to seal the device, Horner, taking a swipe at Brown, responded: "Because I think there’s been a bit of moaning from one of our rivals.

"And it’s the FIA’s job to look into these things. It’s on a list of the open-source components, so it’s been publicly available for the last three years.

"The FIA are happy with it, I think, just to satisfy perhaps some paranoia elsewhere in the paddock," Horner quipped.

He added: "We can seal every movable joint on the car because parc ferme dictates you can’t change anything. That’s what parc ferme is there for.

"We've complied with all the regulations and procedures, so more than happy with the discussion with the FIA and what’s been shown with them, they are very comfortable with."

The saga did not seem to affect Red Bull as Verstappen took pole for the Sprint race on Friday in Austin.