Lewis Hamilton reacts to Red Bull’s ‘dumbing’ trick

Lewis Hamilton has hit back at Red Bull’s controversial device that alters the height of his front number plate ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix.

Rival teams had worried that Red Bull could be exploiting the closed park rules by using a way to raise and lower the height of its T-tray between qualifying and race day.

Talks are understood to have taken place between Red Bull and the FIA ​​to ensure there was no mistake, after speculation the team had a method to alter the height of their number from a cabin area, which would provide an advantage.

Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton spoke about the news and suggested that teams should find ways to innovate to compete for titles.

“I only heard about it before I got here,” he said Sky Sports. “But I think the name of our sport refers to innovation. Red Bull have been the leaders and they have innovated.

“At the end of the day, every team looks at the rules and tries to find how to massage it and get the most out of it, even if it’s a little bit further. You just have to keep evolving and be better controlled.

“At the end of the day, they did a better job. They’ve been doing it for god knows how long, and they’ve been winning championships. Maybe that stops now… I don’t think that’s the only thing that will stop them.

“But I think everyone else needs to continue to be innovative and lead instead of trying to catch up.”

Red Bull confirmed that the device exists, but that it cannot be used when the car is mounted. In fact, a plan has been agreed with the governing body to ensure that its use remains within rules that do not allow alterations to the number between the different stages of the race weekend.

Max Verstappen currently leads the drivers’ standings by 52 points, while his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez is eighth. Despite seven wins this season, Verstappen is winless in eight races.

The Dutchman played down his team’s use of the device, saying it only makes a practical difference to those working on the car.

“For us, it was just an easy tool,” he said. “When the parts were off, it was easy to adjust. But once the whole car is built together, you can’t touch it. So for us, it doesn’t change (anything).”

Lando Norris’ superb victory at the Singapore Grand Prix has increased the pressure on Verstappen and Red Bull as the season builds towards a dramatic climax. McLaren leads the constructors’ standings by 41 points.

Norris has six races left to topple Verstappen, whose three-year dominance will be tested if he and his team do not quickly find consistent improvement in performance.