Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner has lashed out at claims by rival teams that Red Bull Racing has exceeded F1’s budget cap in 2021, calling it a “defamation”.
German and Italian media reported on Friday suggesting that Red Bull and Aston Martin overused their newly introduced budget caps last year.
One team was slightly over the limit, while the other reportedly went over the limit significantly.
Red Bull Racing submitted its financial results to the FIA six months ago, claiming it is confident it is operating under a $145 million budget cap. there is
Mercedes and Ferrari on Friday criticized Red Bull Racing in their accusations, provoking a fierce reaction from Christian Horner.
“I was a little surprised by the comments I received yesterday from two rival teams,” said Horner.
“Submissions between teams and the FIA are confidential. We don’t know what the outcome of competitor submissions will be, or what the accounting will be, etc.”
“So I would like to know where the sources of these fictitious claims came from. They are very defamatory and we resent them.”
Red Bull Racing is currently enjoying a dominant season and is certain to win the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2022.
Max Verstappen could win the title in Singapore as early as this Sunday. Christian Horner believes it’s no coincidence that the allegations were made on the eve of Verstappen’s second championship win.
“I can only think it’s no coincidence that this is where Max gets his first strike at the World Championships,” said Christian Horner.
“How on earth do they have this information? Where do they have this knowledge? The FIA has even stated that they have not completed the process.”
“Therefore, unless there is an explicit retraction of these statements, we will take it very seriously and consider what the options are available.”
“It is absolutely unacceptable to make comments like yesterday that are completely disparaging the team, the brand and even F1. I would like to know where their sources came from.”
The FIA plans to issue a certificate of compliance next week to provide more clarity on the situation.
