Christian Horner has accused rival boss Toto Wolff of making “hugely defamatory, fictitious claims” following allegations that Red Bull exceeded their budget cap in 2021.
Amid revelations in Auto Motor und Sport t hat F1 chiefs are investigating Horner's team for a financial breach, Wolff seemingly revealed on Friday that it was Horner's team in the firing line, sparking off an explosive row that has marred the build-up to the Singapore Grand Prix. And now the English Team Principal has threatened legal action against the Mercedes boss.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Horner insisted he is "absolutely confident" Red Bull did not overspend as Max Verstappen controversially beat Lewis Hamilton to the world championship. The Dutchman could yet retain his title on Sunday, should he win at the Marina Bay Street Circuit and other outcomes go his way.
Wolff however, has not been alone in calling for action. Ferrari have also made a public complaint, arguing that exceeding spending limits in 2021 would also have benefited Red Bull in 2022, given the adaptations needed for F1's new era.
Asked directly about the allegations, Horner replied: "We were a little bit taken aback by the comments from our two rival teams. The submissions between the team and the FIA is confidential, and I have no idea what the outcome of our rivals’ submission is so I would be intrigued to know where their source of information for these fictitious claims has come from."
And Horner, 48, implied it was no coincidence the issue had arisen with Verstappen on the verge of more title glory: "They are hugely defamatory, and one can only assume that it is not a coincidence that this comes at a point where Max has his first strike at a world championship," he said. “We are here talking about cost caps rather than the phenomenal performance Max has had this year. It is an under-hand tactic employed to detract from perhaps a lack of performance on track from our rivals."
On Saturday, the FIA themselves released a statement saying there were investigating the "2021 financial data submitted by all Formula 1 teams." They added: The FIA notes significant and unsubstantiated speculation and conjecture in relation to this matter, and reiterates that the assessment is ongoing and due process will be followed without consideration to any external discussion."
And Horner referenced that statement when saying his team would consider legal action against the "defamatory" claims: “The FIA has stated that they have not completed their process, so unless there is a clear withdrawal of those statements, we will be taking it extremely seriously.
“We will look at all the options available to us because it is absolutely unacceptable to be making the comments that were made yesterday, which are totally defamatory to the team, to the brands, and to Formula One. To reiterate, what is totally unacceptable, is for teams that are not party to any form of the submission to be making claims about our submission and about perspective penalties. It is just bang out of order.”
F1 introduced a budget cap of £114 million in 2021. If Red Bull, or any other team, are found to have exceeded that figure by more than 5%, then they could be liable for strict sanctions. Possible punishments range from a reprimand to financial penalties, or even a deduction of drivers’ championship points.
The latter would be a serious problem for Red Bull, as it would essentially see Verstappen stripped of the title, the team's first since 2013. It could also have implications for this season, with the young prodigy set to retain his crown with ease.
Earlier this week, Horner had denied any knowledge of a potential breach, telling Sky Sports : "I’m not aware of any. Accounts were submitted way back in March so it’s been a long process with the FIA. We’re in that process as we speak. They’re rightly following that process and I think next week is when they declare their certificates."
