Christian Horner, Red Bull Formula 1 boss, claims that alleged cost cap infringement provided “zero benefit”. The team is currently pursuing the FIA over the matter for a probable “closure”.
Formula 1 had introduced a cost cap of $145 million to provide a level field for all teams. FIA revealed that Red Bull is in breach of the cap regulation. The team is engaging the authorities for a potential Accepted Breach Agreement.
The team has strongly refuted the allegations of budget cap breach. But its rivals has asked for a strict action against it. The on-track potential impact is still unclear because of over-spending.
Horner, while speaking at FIA press conference, refuted the allegations and hit back at his rival.
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“We’re in discussion with the FIA about what those costs are and what are mitigating potential circumstances,” said Horner.
“We had zero benefit from a development perspective.Or an operational perspective either for 2021 or 2022 from the way that we operated within the cap. Our submission was significantly below the cap.
“We expected certain things to be potentially challenged or clarified.
“But based on external, professional accounting third parties, the interpretation of those rules, of a 52-page document to police this, we were very clear from our side.
“So we absolutely and categorically don’t feel we had any advantage in 2021 or 2022 or ’23 or ’24, or some teams are even talking about ’26, [which] is totally fictitious.”
Horner hit back
Horner hit back at his rivals including Zak Brown. McLaren F1 boss wrote a letter labeling over spending by a team as “cheating”.
Horner showed his huge disappointment and shock with other teams, which portrayed it as cheating.
“We’ve been on trial because of public accusations since Singapore,” said Horner. He was angry on “rhetoric of cheats” and refuted “the rhetoric that we’ve had this enormous benefit.”
“The numbers have been put out in the media that are miles out of reality,” said Horner.
“And the damage that does to the brand, to our partners, to our drivers, to our workforce. In an age where mental health is prevalent, we’re seeing significant issues within our workforce.
“We’re getting kids that are being bullied in playgrounds that are employees’ children. That is not right through fictitious allegations from other teams.
“You cannot go around just making that kind of allegation without any fact or substance. We absolutely are appalled at the behaviour of some of our competitors.”
