Red Bull team principal Christian Horner insisted after Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix that his mechanics had not broken a key safety rule in Formula 1, whilst they celebrated yet another 1-2.
Red Bull’s domination continued at the Baku City Circuit on Sunday, after Sergio Perez claimed his second win of the 2023 F1 season just ahead of Max Verstappen.
The sensational result saw Red Bull extend their lead in the Constructors’ Championship to 93 points, with the Milton Keynes-based team having claimed a 1-2 at three out of four races this season.
As well as that, Perez’s victory in Azerbaijan was Red Bull’s third consecutive win in Baku, and the 33-year-old’s second in the past three years.
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Understandably, Red Bull mechanic were keen to celebrate as their drivers crossed the finish line; however, the manner of their celebrations was questioned by Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz.
To improve paddock and driver safety, a rule was introduced recently by the sport to stop mechanics climbing pit-wall fences whilst celebrating, something which appeared to happen on Sunday.
The rule states: “It is forbidden for personnel to climb on pit wall debris fences at any time. Any action by a team breaching this ban will be reported to the stewards.”
Kravitz informed Sky viewers after the race that Red Bull’s celebrations were in his opinion a breach of the new rule, something commentator David Croft agreed with.
Horner didn’t see it that way, though, with the Red Bull boss having been questioned by Sky about his team’s celebration as Perez and Verstappen finished the uneventful race.
“The regulations I think are quite clear and it was something the team manager discussed with the mechanics before the race,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.
“All of them had their feet in contact with the concrete wall. I think you’ll find they were where they should be.”
Red Bull’s mechanics weren’t the only pit-lane talking point after the race, after several F1 personnel were seen in the pits whilst Esteban Ocon was entering on the final lap.
The Frenchman narrowly avoided hitting several personnel, who’d been granted permission to set-up parc ferme by the FIA.
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It could’ve been a truly horrific incident, with Horner noting that it must be reviewed by the governing body.
“That’s something that needs a review because Esteban is within his rights to pit on the last lap and finish the race in the pit lane if he wanted to,” said Horner.
“That’s something that the FIA needs to police a little better at the end of a race.”