The FIA confirmed after its detailed investigation that Red Bull breached the financial limit rule throughout the 2021 Formula 1 season, giving it a certain advantage over the rest of the teams on the grid. Although the case is still being studied to reach a firm decision on the sanction that the Milton Keynes outfit will receive, some in the paddock have already reacted, such as the boss of the team with which they vied for the title last season, Toto Wolff .
The Austrian spoke for the first time after the director of energy drinks, Christian Horner , came out to talk to the media also for the first time since it became known that they exceeded the budget ceiling, and commented that it was not a good thing. for the highest category of motorsport.
Speaking to Sky Germany , the manager of the Brackley team said the following when asked about what he thought of his rival’s statements: “I almost shed a tear when I heard them. The fact is that nine out of ten teams have kept below the cost limit”.
“Now they’re arguing that they’ve gone through so-called issues that have nothing to do with performance, but that applies to all of us as well,” he explained. “We’ve also thought about how many sandwiches we’re giving people [Horner excused the amount of Red Bull food spending] and how we’re dealing with other costs.”
“They’re up there, whether it’s a million, two or five, it’s a benefit that translates into development, so it’s a bit of reverse psychology, who’s the victim here and I think it’s the other nine teams.” Wolff assured.
The Mercedes boss recalled the episode of Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing at Interlagos, where the FIA disqualified the Briton for exceeding the limit imposed by the regulations by a few millimeters: “In recent years we have had controversies. In Brazil, our wing went over 0.02 millimeters and we were disqualified for the first race [the sprint race].”
“I think that the financial regulation is a very important pillar, as well as the technical and sporting ones,” insisted the Austrian. “The reason is that all the teams can fight each other with the same expenses, and if one passes now, with whatever excuses, it goes against the spirit that was wanted [with the regulations]”.
Asked if all the controversy put the FIA’s credibility in question, he said: “Yes, I think politics has always been part of this sport, but we also wish we hadn’t kept repeating that.”
“Me personally, or us as a team, we don’t talk at all after Singapore about it, and that’s why I stayed out of it, so it always depends on who keeps insisting.”
“I have no idea [of the possible sanction], between both parties, Red Bull and the FIA, something that is being discussed. What is or will be the final situation, I don’t know, but for the category it would be good if we reached a quick end.”
Do you want to read our news before anyone else and for free? Follow us here on our Telegram channel and you won’t miss a thing. All the information, at your fingertips!
