Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has condemned the “underhand” tactics being deployed by a rival on the grid, as he repeatedly claims that an unnamed team approached several of their sponsors after the title-holders were found to have breached the cost cap.
The FIA formally found Red Bull guilty of breaching the cost cap rules imposed in 2021, handing the team a $7 million fine and a reduction in their allotted wind tunnel time.
Speaking to Sky Sports News prior to the Australian Grand Prix, Horner explained that “it wasn’t about stealing sponsors.”
“I think what you’re referring to was a reference that several of our sponsors were contacted by one of our rival teams saying that we were perhaps bringing them into disrepute,” he alleged.
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When pressed over which team he was talking about, Horner simply replied: “I’ll let your imagination run away with you.”
While Horner didn’t specifically name the team in question, Mercedes and Ferrari were particularly vocal during the saga in their condemnation of Red Bull’s actions.
Ferrari’s new team principal Fred Vasseur has continued the team’s protestations over Red Bull’s behaviour, claiming the FIA’s penalty was “very light” and hasn’t stopped them dominating this season.
Horner has disputed that the penalty is ineffective, cautioning teams to wait and see how it affects the team going forward, especially as other teams hone their car’s performance.
“We have to remember that other upgrades are coming through with other teams,” Horner added.
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“We have a significant disadvantage in the amount of wind tunnel time and our development capacity this year, and therefore whilst we have a competitive car, it’s important we get those points on the table as quickly as we can.”
Going into round 4 of the 2023 season, Red Bull sits on 123 points, almost 60 points clear of their nearest rivals Aston Martin and nearly 100 points ahead of their 2022 rivals Ferrari.
Red Bull’s drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, sit in P1 and P2 of the Drivers’ Standings respectively.