Growing suspicions of a cunning Formula 1 car ride height adjustment trick under parc ferme conditions has triggered an immediate FIA response from this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, Motorsport.com can reveal.

Sources have revealed that discussions have taken place between several teams and the FIA over recent weeks to discuss concerns that one unidentified outfit may have found a clever way to adjust front bib clearance between qualifying and the race.

Being able to raise and lower the bib, even by a small amount, between qualifying and the race would deliver a noticeable benefit in terms of perfecting the different ride height requirements between a low-fuel single-lap run and the needs for a heavier car over a race distance.

However, making such an adjustment would be a clear breach of F1’s technical regulations that outlaw changes to the aerodynamic configuration of the car – apart from the front wing – once the car is in parc ferme.

Article 40.2 of F1’s Technical Regulations outlines the components that can be changed, and the only changes in terms of bodywork that are allowed are: “The aerodynamic set up of the front wing may be adjusted using the existing parts. No parts may be added, removed or replaced.”

Article 40.9 adds: “A competitor may not modify any part on the car.”

To ensure that teams do not have devices that allow for easy modifications, the rules add: “it must be clear from physical inspection that changes cannot be made without the use of tools.”

Jo Bauer, Formula One Technical Delegate, FIA

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

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However, the suspicions that have erupted are that a team has designed its car in such a way that it was possible to adjust the clearance of the front bib – also known as a T-tray – through a change of settings inside the cockpit.

This alteration in theory could be easily done by a mechanic during the regular car assessment work that is undertaken between qualifying and the race, and would be undetected to outside observers.

It is understood teams have been alerted to the possibility of this happening through the design details of all cars needing to be uploaded to FIA servers on open-source components – which all competitors have access to.

The FIA has taken on board the concerns of teams about the possibility of such a device and has decided to take action from this weekend’s race in Austin.

But, while the governing body is clear that any such device that altered the front bib under parc ferme conditions would be illegal, it says it has received no conclusive evidence that such a trick has been used by anyone in F1.

However, with immediate effect, the FIA is changing procedures to check on front bib characteristics from Austin – and this could include using seals on any device that is used to alter the T-tray angle.

An FIA spokesman told Motorsport.com: “Any adjustment to the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations.

“While we have not received any indication of any team employing such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to enhance the policing of the sport.

“As part of this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified.

“In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide further assurance of compliance.”

The revelation about a potential trick system in F1 comes ahead of an intense end to the season, with six races remaining and the outcome of both titles closely fought.

In 2022, McLaren’s rising star Lando Norris found himself at one of Jack Zimmerman’s restaurants for what was supposed to be a low-key dinner after finishing sixth at the U.S. Grand Prix. The British driver was joined by chart-topper Zedd for a late-night bite at Devil May Care in downtown Austin, which quickly led to the pair jumping behind the DJ booth, with Norris getting an impromptu crash course in mixing tracks. “You don’t tell Zedd he can’t DJ,” Zimmerman, the founder of Nova Hospitality, says with a grin as he recalls the legendary party that eventually spilled next door to his Vegas-style nightclub, Mayfair.

That was the first night I met Zimmerman. It was well past 2am when he ushered me into the glitzy venue where Norris (a hobbyist DJ at the time) was putting on a show for hundreds of racing fans who were thrilled to have scored the hottest after-party ticket in town. But as the celebration raged on, Austin’s undisputed nightlife impresario wasn’t basking in the spotlight. Zimmerman, who has cemented his bars, clubs and restaurants as the hottest of spots when F1 shows up in the Texas capital, quietly slipped away just as the party hit its peak.

That wasn’t always how the hospitality veteran’s nights would pan out.

Jack Zimmerman

Photo by: Nova Hospitality

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Born in London to an American mother and a British father, Zimmerman spent his childhood steeped in the roar of the V12 engines that defined Formula 1 in the mid-90s. “On Sundays as a kid, F1 was always on the TV,” he says. But after moving to Dallas as a teenager, Zimmerman’s love for motorsport faded amid time zone differences that made it difficult to watch races.

He landed in Austin in 2005 to study finance at Texas State University, years before the Circuit of the Americas was even a twinkle in Bernie Ecclestone’s eye. While studying, Zimmerman worked in hospitality: “Back then it was a casual city — lots of small bars and live music, but not much glitz.”

At 24 he found more glitz than any one man can handle, having landed in Las Vegas to work at the Wynn hotel’s XS, one of the highest-grossing nightclubs on the planet. “It was 2010, and the big DJs weren’t really a thing yet. Then suddenly some competition opened up in Marquee [an ultra-club owned by the Tao Group], and we were in this race to book all the big names: Swedish House Mafia, Deadmau5, Avicii. It went absolutely crazy,” he says. “I would show up at 7pm and work until 7am, and I loved every minute of it.”

After four years at the Wynn hotel’s ultra-opulent haunt loved by celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Zimmerman consulted in nightclubs and venues in places like Miami, Dubai, and Shanghai. “Every market is wildly different,” he says. “In Shanghai, for example, people would buy a bottle service table and then sit and play dice. Not a whole lot of dancing — just playing dice and drinking games while spending thousands on champagne and whiskey.”

Yuki couldn’t go two feet without being stopped. It was crazy everywhere these guys went on Sunday night.

Formula 1 changed Austin. When the Circuit of the Americas opened in 2012 about an hour outside the city (two on race day), it re-established America’s place on the F1 calendar after a seven-year trial separation. But the city itself still wasn’t sure what to do with the traveling circus and the first-class-flying party people who came with it.

In 2015 Zimmerman returned home with a plan to turn up the volume on Austin’s boots-and-beers nightlife. He founded Nova Hospitality and channeled what he learned from his tours of duty in Vegas and beyond.

“The first couple of years there were some big parties, but the venues weren’t prepared to support the type of events that the F1 crowd wanted and there was a bit of a drop-off,” Zimmerman reflects. Flash forward to the release of Netflix’s “Drive To Survive” in 2019, and Austin’s relationship with the sport began to shift dramatically. “All of a sudden, people were talking about Formula 1.”

The boom put Nova Hospitality in the right place at the right time. Zimmerman had launched the group with Mayfair and modern Japanese restaurant TenTen before expanding to include boutique nightclub Devil May Care, an event space called LZR, and The Well — a local café chain that’s become a favorite among locals, including Olympic golden girl Gabby Thomas. Zimmerman was then tapped by Sports Illustrated ahead of the 2021 U.S. Grand Prix — the first American race to take place in the midst of F1’s skyrocketing popularity — to produce its sold-out Circuit Series party headlined by Travis Scott and the Chainsmokers. “There was an endless line of people outside trying to get in,” he remembers. “We were just coming out of the pandemic, and ‘Drive to Survive’ was wildly popular. I thought, ‘This is epic.’”

I witnessed the “epic” first-hand in 2022 at that year’s party. Shortly before Post Malone took the stage at Mayfair, a frazzled publicist asked me if a few extra guests could join the table, which was a group of journalists sipping drinks. That’s how I spent the night next partying with (okay, near) Serena Williams, Karlie Kloss, and a swath of celebrities who stuck around until the early hours of Sunday morning — before heading into the F1 paddock that afternoon.

Deadmau5

Photo by: Nova Hospitality

Zimmerman now has an ongoing partnership with his former colleagues at the Wynn who help book headlining talent during F1 weekends at Mayfair. Devil May Care, however, “self-populates with celebs and bigger names,” he tells me. “We don’t need to book anyone big there — it just happens.” Most of the current drivers have come through, too. “I’d say 13 or 14 of the drivers on the current grid have been through with their teams, or their wives and girlfriends.”

“We’ve found that some of these guys value privacy more than others,” says Zimmerman. “Last year we had Max [Verstappen] at TenTen for dinner with his girlfriend on the Monday after the race and it was pretty quiet, nobody bothered them. But one day prior to that, Yuki [Tsunoda] couldn’t go two feet without being stopped. It was crazy everywhere these guys went on Sunday night.”

Last year, Zimmerman escorted one driver from dinner at TenTen to a table at Mayfair, before swiftly moving him to a private room to escape all the fans pleading for a selfie. “We try to communicate with the drivers ahead of time about how much privacy they care for so we can put them in a private section if that’s what they’d prefer,” he says. “Or, if they’re open to it, we can put them front and center … Lando [Norris] is pretty welcoming to that.”

This year is looking more chaotic than ever, with a huge college football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Texas Longhorns on Saturday, overlapping with F1’s qualifying and sprint race. Zimmerman expects his Sunday night closing bash, headlined by Diplo, will be over the top.

Lando Norris & Zedd

Photo by: Nova Hospitality

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Maybe it’s the Austin in him, but Zimmerman’s much more relaxed than his nightlife kingpin counterparts in New York or Las Vegas, whose empires have been built on their larger-than-life personas and constant visibility. Speaking of, Zimmerman doesn’t have plans to infringe on their turf, despite his success.

“We don’t have any desire to open venues outside of the city anytime soon, maybe ever,” he says. Which makes sense: the carbon-copy flaming-bottle mega-clubs of the early aughts have given way to places like his: more carefully considered, and part of the city that created them.

Which isn’t to say Zimmerman’s spots won’t give everyone looking for bottle service and heart-thudding beats a place to spend their evenings. Just don’t expect to find Austin’s nightlife kingpin staying up with the crowds anymore. “Things have changed for me,” Zimmerman says. “These days you won’t find me in the venues after 10pm unless there’s something special going on.” At 38, he’s more concerned about longevity and balance than FOMO. “I want to wake up early, have a healthy day, and be ready to do this for the next 10 years without burning out.”

Formula 1 is roaring back into Texas for the United States Grand Prix, bringing with it a slew of southern-inspired fashion collections. From uniquely American brands like Levi’s and Cherry Los Angeles, to driver-led projects like Lewis Hamilton’s +44 and Daniel Ricciardo’s Enchanté, here’s everything you need to know about where to shop in Austin to discover unique racing pieces. 

Red Bull Racing x Cherry Los Angeles

Red Bull Racing and Cherry Los Angeles have joined forces on a 12-piece collection

Photo by: Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing is teaming up with Cherry Los Angeles for a second capsule collection, launching ahead of the 2024 US Grand Prix. The 12-piece drop marks the reigning World Champions’ return to Texas and blends streetwear with motorsport heritage. Standout pieces include a retro-inspired racing jacket and a bowling shirt with intricate chain stitch embroidery. 

The collection, which was designed and crafted entirely in the US, will launch on Friday, October 18 at the Cherry Holiday Store in Austin before arriving at Cherry’s flagship location in Los Angeles and online.

MX TX by +44

Lewis Hamilton’s +44 will host another pop-up during the US Grand Prix

Photo by: Plus44

Lewis Hamilton is dropping a limited-edition +44 collection, MX TX (read: motocross and Texas), inspired by the off-road motocross scene in America during the ’90s. The exclusive drop features a race jacket adorned with the words ‘Hamilton Crew’ across the shoulders, along with one of the world champion’s favorite quotes, ‘Still We Rise.’ 

Fans will also be able to shop a long sleeve Moto tee with neon graphics, a pullover and a zip-up hoodie, which were modeled by LA-based dirt bike riders Spoety Young, Sabrina Victoria and Trevor Stewart in the collection campaign. All pieces will be available online and at a custom pop-up at Austin-based boutique ByGeorge from October 17-20.

Enchanté Garage

Daniel Ricciardo may not be in Austin, but his influence will definitely be felt at Enchanté Garage. The fan-favorite Australian athlete is set to release his latest fashion collection at an exclusive pop-up presented by Cash App. Described as a “place for motorsport enthusiasts and gearheads alike,” fans will have the opportunity to shop hoodies, crewnecks, tank tops, sweaters and more. 

The pop-up will be held at Antone’s in downtown Austin on October 18 and 19, and is also available to shop online. 

McLaren x Levi’s

McLaren USGP Fashion

Photo by: McLaren

McLaren’s second collaboration with heritage brand Levi’s is set to launch this week to coincide with the US Grand Prix. The capsule collection, which celebrates the fusion between the iconic American fashion label and the British racing team, features some of Levi’s beloved garments adorned with McLaren logos and stitching. 

The upcoming drop also features graphic tees emblazoned with the image of classic McLaren cars, along with the Track Trucker, Sports 501® Jeans, Speed Trucker, Speed Jeans, Second Skin, Fleece Hoodie and more. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri star in the collection campaign, which was shot on location at the McLaren Technology Center in Woking. Fans can shop the collection online from October 17 and at a pop-up in downtown Austin on October 18 and 19. 

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Having been built in 2010, Austin, Texas’ Circuit of the Americas (COTA) racetrack isn’t even old enough to legally drink —  but it’s already been home to a number of spectacular races. The track can accommodate 120,000 spectators, but when F1 first started racing at COTA, in 2012, ages before the Netflix “Drive to Survive” bump, tumbleweeds often outnumbered humans. Now, all the corners are brimming with rabid fans. 

Because this 20-turn, 3.426-mile circuit design was designed by the same wizards behind Bahrain, Yas Marina, and the revamp of Hockenheimring and Fuji Speedway, the track has technical corners and ample high-speed sections, making for great viewing sections for F1 fans. It can be hard to choose only a few favorites, but we’ve concocted three boozy beverages with a Texan drawl, all inspired by COTA corners and crafted by Travel Bar Brooklyn’s co-owner and beverage director Mike Vacheresse.

Starting with one drink co-created by someone who’s not going to be drinking during the race, but knows his spirits well: Valtteri Bottas.

Coming In Hot Highball

Photo by: Sean Evans

“I like COTA a lot. It’s a fun track to drive,” Valtteri Bottas tells me over the phone. The Finnish driver for Sauber is on the line to chat about a collaboration between WhistlePig rye (his team’s sponsor) and his own gin brand, Oath, which resulted in a single barrel release of 6-year-old WhistlePig PiggyBack rye that’s been rested in Oath barrels (bottled at 100.77 proof, a nod to Bottas’ racing number). 

“I’m getting into whiskey, trying to learn as much as I can,” Bottas says. “How much time I have to ‘learn’ is a question, given my busy season and schedule,” he laughs. 

Ask Bottas for his favorite COTA corner and pair it with a cocktail he loves, and his answer is swift. “The first corner. It’s a huge uphill [133 feet in elevation] and then you’re into a hairpin, a bit of a blind corner,” Bottas says. “And I’d say it’s like a highball; tall corner, tall drink. And when you do a highball right, you never know what happens next.” 

Building on that, Vacheresse whipped up a spicy highball that ratchets up the base flavors of WhistlePig x Oath with the help of habanero bitters. It’s a solid sipper, with hints of apple and cinnamon coming through from the Oath gin barrels, some rye spice from the whiskey, and a light burn from the bitters. Temperatures may be in the 90s Fahrenheit (mid-30s Celsius) this week in Austin, but Bottas’ Coming In Hot Highball is a flawless fall drink. 

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 ounce WhistlePig PiggyBack Sauber Single Barrel Rye
• ¼ ounce Cocchi Americano (you can substitute Lillet Blanc, too)
• 4 dashes Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub Bitters
• Soda water
• Lemon twist 

Steps:

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice, then add the whiskey first. 
2. Add the Cocchi Americano and bitters, then top with soda water
3. Give it a quick stir with a long bar spoon, and garnish with a lemon twist 

Texas Four-Step

Photo by: Sean Evans

COTA’s esses are a four-turn exchange (turns 3 through 6) linked to form a beautiful back-and-forth moment with plenty of flow. When cameras switch to the aerial view, watching drivers navigate this serpentine section gets the adrenaline flowing; they’re coming in at more than 200 mph, and have to maintain as much race pace as they can throughout. For this complex segment, we went with a riff on a Manhattan that uses a Texas whiskey and a vermouth substitute called Brovo Boomerang. “It’s a liquor with a lot of different flavors, sending your mouth between rhubarb, cherry, apricot, and walnut, mirroring the track’s corners,” says Vacheresse. For the Texas whiskey, try Balcones Rye for a spicier, chocolatey malt base, or Balcones Baby Blue for a sweeter corn base. Still Austin Bourbon or Rye also work well. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Texas whiskey 
• 1 ounce Boomerang
• 2 dashes orange bitters 
• 3 Maraschino cherries for garnish

Steps:

1. Mix the Texas whiskey, Boomerang, and orange bitters in a shaker glass
2. Stir until very cold, then pour into a coupe. Garnish with three cherries on a toothpick

Flat Spot

Photo by: Sean Evans

COTA’s turn 15 requires drivers to lean hard into the brakes and slow the car from triple-digit speeds to 60 mph (37 kph) or so before a hairpin. Occasionally those with lesser skills get caught out and lock up the wheels, flat-spotting the tires. “Tequila is big in Texas, and this drink is big on flavor,” says Vacheresse. “It’s got a surprising turn, just like the corner, by using Genepy — a French alpine herbal spirit that plays nicely with the classic pepper flavors of tequila.” 

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 ounces anejo or reposado tequila 
• ½ ounce cinnamon syrup (instructions below) 
• ¼ ounce Genepy 
• ¼ ounce lemon juice
• Lemon wheel for garnish

Steps:

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker — shake until very cold
2. Pour over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel