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Christian Horner has been urged to drop calls for an FIA investigation into how details of their budget cap finances were leaked. The Red Bull boss has hinted the FIA could be to blame for revealing details about their budget cap breach.
Red Bull have questioned how their main rivals knew the team had broken the budget cap before even they did. Mercedes and Ferrari were seen discussing the matter at the Singapore Grand Prix but Red Bull were not officially told until a week later in Japan.
Despite this, Horner has been told to forget about it by ex-Ensign driver Tiff Needell after the penalty was dished out. The former Fifth Gear and Top Gear presenter tweeted: “Horner now demanding an investigation into how their breaking of the cost cap was leaked!
“Just let it go Christian, you’ve won both titles, just let it go.”
READ MORE: FIA urged to change Red Bull penalty with Christian Horner ‘not hurt’
Red Bull were found guilty of exceeding the cap by £1.8million ($2.2m) last season. The FIA admitted this would have been just £432,000 ($500k) if the team had not incorrectly submitted their tax reports.
They were handed a 10 per cent reduction in wind tunnel and CFD testing for next season as well as a £6.4m ($7m) fine. Needell’s comments come after Horner stressed the team expected an investigation over the Mexican Grand Prix.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Horner explained: “The accusations made in Singapore were extremely upsetting for every single member of staff, all our partners, everyone involved within Red Bull.
“Obviously any form of leakage is hugely worrying. It’s something that we expect to be followed up.” Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has also been left puzzled as to how their rivals were aware of the team’s overspending.
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He stated that it was “weird” information was getting exposed and “amazing something like this gets public”. Red Bull are also understood to be suspicious about the FIA’s appointment of an ex-Mercedes advisor.
The rumours forced the governing body to release a statement where they denied the accusations. The FIA claimed any suggestion that they had disclosed information was “baseless”.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has also denied that information about Red Bull’s finances came from the FIA. He added: “Who talked about it? I think it was the finance directors. It is also a total sideshow. It is an attempt by Red Bull to divert attention.”
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