(Motorsport) Red Bull boss Christian Horner has clarified his comments regarding Formula 1 teams contacting their sponsors following their cost cap breach during the 2021 season. In an interview given by Horner in March, it appeared that the team principal was accusing one of their rivals of contacting their sponsors, saying that Red Bull is bringing their brands into “disrepute” due to the cost cap breach. However, he has now gone on to say that rival teams are not trying to “steal” their sponsors. The team had admitted to a ‘minor’ breach, amounting to $2.2 million in 2021, resulting in a $7 million fine and limit on development time.
In an interview at the Australian Grand Prix, Horner said “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. So that was I think the comment that you were referring to.”
When asked which team contacted their sponsors, Horner added “I’ll let your imagination run away with you.” Red Bull Racing began the 2023 season in dominant fashion, winning all three races and finishing first and second in two of them. They already have a 58 point lead in the Constructors Standings but Horner has insisted that they must continue to win as restrictions will have greater impact as the season progresses.
He said “We have to remember that other upgrades are coming through with other teams. 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. Rather than full components, it’s bits and pieces and it’s part of the evolution of the season.
“Each team will pick and choose where they want to bring these things in. That’s what we’ve picked. I think they (Ferrari and Mercedes) are probably saving for something fairly more significant, from what we hear, and of course the cost of that is significant. Therefore, they’re probably bundling up into one major package rather than drip-feeding.”
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