Red Bull F1 team boss Christian Horner says he feels “great concern” that news of the team’s F1 budget limit violations has leaked and has led to “public slapping” from rivals.
Red Bull Racing has settled with the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) for breaching last year’s F1 budget limit of £ 1.8 million ahead of the F1 Mexican Grand Prix. He said he misunderstood some of the allowed exclusions.
Red Bull struck with a $ 7 million fine and a 10% reduction in allowed aerodynamic testing over the next 12 months, with Christian Horner a “huge” and “tough” penalty.
Rumors that Red Bull had broken the budget cap first surfaced over the weekend of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix in late September.
Christian Horner not only accused his rivals of making “defamatory” claims without official information from the FIA, but he also reacted harshly when he was first charged.
Red Bull was officially notified that it exceeded the cost limit 90 minutes after Max Verstappen won his second F1 World Championship at the Japanese F1 Grand Prix and a public notice was issued the next day.
Reflecting on the events in Mexico following the FIA ruling, Christian Horner said he expects follow-up action to investigate why news of Red Bull’s budget limit violation leaked.
“The allegations made in Singapore are very shocking to all of our staff, all of our partners and all those associated with Red Bull,” Horner said.
“Obviously, any form of loss is a big concern, and that’s the part we expect to follow up on.”
Before the Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA) was signed between Red Bull and the FIA, many of the rivals were calling for strong action.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown sent letters to FIA President Mohammed Binn Sulayem and F1 President Stefano Domenicali stating that a potential cost limit violation “constitutes a scam,” said Christian Horner. Against this, he reacted violently with his experience as a journalist for the American F1 GP.
Christian Horner believes that Red Bull “should be apologized by some of its rivals for some of the claims made by them” after the FIA ruling, adding that the team “does as it did. We will not apologize for the way we acted” .
“There may have been errors in our presentation, but with hindsight and the vision of the 20-20 vision, anyone can become a specialist.”
“But there was no intention. There was nothing dishonest and certainly no alleged wrongdoing in certain corners.”
“I don’t think you need to apologize. I think there are lessons to be learned. Everyone can learn from this.”
“We have been criticized very publicly through accusations from other teams. The drivers have been booed on the circuit.”
“The reputational damage caused by the allegations is serious. Now is the time to stop it and move on.”
