Read between the dotted lines- The Red Bull Traction Control Saga

The canadian Grand Prix as everyone knows was a race which  was maybe a bit too quiet after the Pirelli Tyre war had simmered down, the politics in Formula One remained almost unheard of and it was a great week of racing. Until now that is..


Mark Webber is the latest driver to be at the centre of suspicion as videos and images arise of apparent traction control use following the incident with Van Der Garde. The images and the video show after the Aussie pulls away out of the hairpin, two lines appear which then slowly dot away due to wheelspin. The question here is was this down to bumps on the circuit or have Red Bull tried to implement a very subtle traction control system which may not have been subtle enough?


One key thing to consider is if the Red Bull's have been using Traction Control wouldn't it be more apparent at earlier circuits in which the car carries less downforce or will struggle for grip? The Monaco circuit for example would be a more noticeable circuit for sure but did the Red Bull gain any kind of advantage there? No is the answer however they did pull off a solid second and third place. 

Catalunya, another venue in which the use of the device would have been clear. The final sector has always been tricky since the inclusion of the chicane and many cars have had minor moments and full spins in the past. Surely it would have given them a much bigger advantage and the Red Bull's would have gained a considerable amount of time each lap.

 But in Canada where the so called Traction Control has been noticed, winner Sebastian Vettel gained an incredible 2.5 second advantage on Lewis Hamilton by the end of the first lap alone. So has the reason for the RB9's speed been found?

 Traction Control as we all know is banned by the FIA but most teams have tried to master the art of engine mapping with all having different results. Engineers may intentionally reduce the amount of torque available in the mid RPM range, or where a driver's RPM will most likely max out when exiting a corner. By reducing the torque when the driver is on full throttle exiting a corner, the car does not max out and experience oversteer or anything similar, thus creating a similar effect. But if all teams use it and it isn't illegal does this put the argument to rest?

The FIA have searched but found nothing suspicious on the RB9 to date. So the question is what was creating those lines as Webber exited the corner? Was it just generated by wheel spin? Were there bumps on the track caused by debris or was it degrading rubber?The answer remains unclear, but what are your thoughts? Was it something as simple as a bump in the tarmac or are Red Bull going to be crossed off Santa's list this year? Leave your opinions below.