United States GP: Christian Horner says Red Bull employees' kids being bullied over 'appalling' F1 cost cap allegations

Christian Horner has claimed Red Bull’s employees’ children are being bullied in school playgrounds over the "appalling" F1 cost cap allegations being levelled at his team. 
Horner: Red Bull employees' kids being bullied over F1 cost cap allegations

The Red Bull team principal finally addressed the F1 cost cap saga in his first public media appearance since his team’s breach was confirmed by the FIA on Saturday at the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:United States Grand Prix

Horner was joined in th🐲e press conference by McLaren boss Zak Brown, who has been one of Red Bull’s most vocal rivals regarding the cost cap.

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Brown wrote a letter to F1’s governing body the FIA in which he said any breaking of the budget cap168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: “constitutes cheating”, though he stopped short of directly naming Re🐎d Bull.ﷺ 

During their face-off, Horner blasted Brown’s letter and said it has felt like Red Bull have “been on trial” since the rumours of a potential breach first emerged over the Singapore𓆏 Grand Prix weekend. 

“It is tremendously disappoiꦍnting for a competitor to accuse you of cheating and fraudulent [behaviour],” said Horner. 

“It's absolutely shocking that another competitor, without the facts, without any knowlegde of th𓆉e details, can be ma🌼king that kind of accusation.

“We’ve been on trial since 💝Singapore. The rhetoric of cheats.🌳 The numbers in the media are miles away from reality.

“The 🍸damage this done to the brand, our drivers, our workforce? In an age where mental health is prevalant? We see kids bullied in playgrounds who are kids of our employees. 

"You cannot make these allegations without fact or substance. We are appalled at the behaviou🐠r of some of our competitors.”

Zak Brown (USA) McLaren Executive Director in the FIA Press Conference. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 19, United States
Zak Brown (USA) McLaren Executive Director in the FIA Press Conference. Formula 1 World…

Horner, who was seen holding a 𒊎meeting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulaye♍m in the COTA paddock on Friday, confirmed th🌺e FIA has offered Red Bull terms for an 'Accepted Brea൩ch Agreement’. 

However, he refused to reveal what penalty has been offered to Red Bull. German publication has reported that a deduc🤪tion of 25 percent of the wind tunnel time for next season and a fine is the proposed penalty.&✱nbsp;

“I can’t tell you that, it’s c🌞on💜fidential,” Horner said. 

“Once concluded there will be transpar🧸ency and I𝓀 will talk you through our submissions and the position we had.”

Amid mounting speculation over the exact figure of Reܫd Bull’s overspend - which has been kept confidential - Horner claimed the breach was no more than $200,000. 

“Therꦚe is a concerted campaign for a draconian penalty for Red Bull [over] a couple of hundred thousand do⛦llars,” he added. 

“We have been ✤subjected to three weeks of abuse. It’s just not right. It ha🌳s to stop.”

‘Zero benefit’ for Red Bull 

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 19, United States Grand Prix, Austin, Texas,
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB18. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 19, United States…

Horner in🐟sisted that Red Bull gained “zero benefit from an operational perspective.”✅ 

Asked if Red 🅷Bull gained an advantage, a defiant Horner replied: “Absolutely not. What are the🐽 relevant costs within the cap - this is where the interpretation comes from.

“Our view is thaꩵt our relevant costs come within the cap. We are in talks with the FIA over mitigating circumstances.

“We had zer🐬o benefit from an operational peꦑrspective. 

“Our submission was below the cap. We expect things to be challenge♈d or clarified.

“Based on third-part𝓡y accounting, the interpretation of the 52-page document was clear from our side.

“We absolutely do not feel that we had any advantage in 2021 or 2022ꦕ. It is totally fictitious.”

How long could this take? 

Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina
Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17,…

Red Bull, who maintain their innocence, must now decide whether to accept the ABA or c🀅hallenge the FIA’s verdict. 

Doing so would result in the matter being taken before an adjudication panel of independent judges to review the case and determine whether the party is guilty, a꧟nd what penalജty should be applied. 

If Red Bull are still unsatisfied and opted to appeal, there is a possibility the casღe could go to the International Court of Appeal. 

Horner warned the saga could drag on for “eight or nine months” bꦦut 🅰stressed that is not Red Bull’s intention. 

“We want closure,” he explained.  

“It is in the interests of everybody, the sport, to get ܫthis resolvღed as quickly as possible. There are many lessons that can be learned.”

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