Christian Horner: F1 cost cap “noise” trying to ‘distract’ from Max Verstappen winning the title

Christian Horner has suggested that the speculation about Red Bull breaking F1’s cost cap rules has been “designed to be a bit of a distraction” from Max Verstappen’s success on track.
(L to R): Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal with Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing on the grid.
(L to R): Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal with Max Verstappen (NLD) Red…

Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend, there wer𝓀e a number of outlets reporting that Red Bull (and Aston Martin) had breached the cost cap regulations f🎶or last season.

The topic has dominated the media headlines, particularly after 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:the FIA delayed the publication of i🔯ts compliance certif꧅icates until Monday. 

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According to Sky Sports,ꦓ any breach from Red Bull or McLaren is understood to be a “minor” breach.

Verstappen could claim his second drivers’ championship this weekend if he outscores 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Charles Leclerc by eight points and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Sergio Perez by six.

Horner believes the “noise” about ꦐthe cost cap is being used to detract from Verstappen’s likely triumph this weekend.

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan,
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand…

“It’s a big weekend for Max,” Horner told Sky af🌱ter FP2 at Suzuka. “It’s a possibility rather than a probabilit🐽y but it’s another match point effectively for him. That’s what we’re focused on. 

“The amount of noise t🎃hat's been around other topics, one can only think it’s designed to be a bit of a distraction. We’re very happy with where we are, with where our submission for the cap is and all focus is on this weekend.”

Horner insisted again that Red Bull have co🌸mplied with the c🥃ost cap and they are awaiting for the FIA’s judgement on Monday.

“We were expecting the certificates as well on Wednesday, hoping for them on Wednesday but that’s obvi🐟ously been delayed for all of the teams,” Horner added. “The FIA have obviously taken that choice. 

“We await with interest to see what happens on Monday. Again, we feel that we’ve absolutely complied with the cost cap, with the regulations, happy with our submission and awaiting to hear w💫hat the f🅠eedback is.”

More to come from Red Bull

Horner is confident Red Bull have more pace to show൩ after running just one set of intermediates in FP2.

Verstappen ended second practice over 0.8s off 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell, bᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚut Horner put the gap do𒈔wn to Mercedes using up more tyres.

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan,
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Japanese Grand…

“This track is very tough on tyres,” he explained. “We only ran one set of inters in that second session. I think Mercedes ran three. I think our pace is reasonable. Difficult to draw too many conclusions because very quickly you can see the fro𒀰nt tyres are going off around here. 

“A lot of data for the guys to be looking at but on the whole, a pretty reasonable day. I think it will be interesting. Definitely taking those extra sets of t✨yres…♓ particularly in the first sector there’s a big advantage on a new set here. 

“Today’s times probablꩵy aren’t that representative but they’re definitely in the mix, they’re definitely looking competitive. I think Ferrari are perhaps out of position as well. I think the whole thing will concertina a bit.”

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