Rain in the run-up to the start of the Hungaroring race prompted FIA race director Michael Masi to post an update on inclement weather for all teams.
Teams were allowed to erect tent structures to keep the grid grooves dry, but neither chose to do so.
Masi informed the teams that “they were not allowed to use any means to artificially dry the track, including, among others, mesh boxes, for example: blowers, tire blankets, etc.”
FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer issued a bulletin earlier in the race revealing that Red Bull had dried the slot in the grille used for Albon’s car, lining up at 13th place, and referred the problem to the stewards.
“The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team artificially dried the grill box of the 23rd car using the engine cooling air from their leaf blowers when they used them to cool the car’s engine,” Bauer wrote.
“As this is in contradiction to the race director’s notes, I am referring this matter to the Stewards for their consideration.”
The stewards issued a subpoena 27 minutes later confirming that Red Bull was under investigation for “allegedly artificially drying the mesh box of the 23rd car, allegedly in violation of Article 22.3 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.”
Article 22.3 of the regulation says that “apart from driving on the track, competitors may not attempt to alter the grip of any part of the track surface”.
It is unclear what sanction would be granted if Red Bull were deemed to have violated the regulations, as it is the first case since a clarification was issued three years ago.
The problem was last raised at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix, when then Force India team boss Otmar Szafnauer complained that teams were using leaf blowers to dry the grid grooves.
He urged the FIA to notify teams that the use of portable tools for drying the net was in violation of regulations from the next race in Japan.
A Red Bull representative will meet with the stewards at 5:15 pm local time in Hungary (4:15 pm BST).
