But there was no intent, nothing dishonest and there was certainly no cheating involved, which has been alleged in certain quarters. "We take it on the chin and there are lessons to be learned. We make no apology for the way we have performed and acted. The FIA also added that without a notional tax credit, incorrectly included on their submitted account, Red Bull's overspend would have been £432,652, the equivalent of a breach surmounting to just 0.37 per cent.Īsked if he owed the sport's fans an apology, Horner replied: "An apology from who? To be honest with you, we are due an apology from our rivals for the claims that have been made. These included catering, employer's social security contributions, staff bonuses, apprenticeship levies and travel costs. In its three-page report, the FIA mentioned 13 items that Red Bull "incorrectly excluded and/or adjusted costs" in its financial submission. "What we are talking about here had no effect whatsoever on the performance of his car last year." "But Max Verstappen won last year's world championship fair and square. "And when this comes up and you hear about it for the first time in Singapore and all the noise comes again.
"Inevitably there was so much noise about last year's championship anyway. "I don't think it has overshadowed Max's achievements," said Red Bull team principal Horner. However, the FIA concluded that Red Bull "did not act in bad faith, dishonestly or in a fraudulent manner" when it broke the £114m budget cap. McLaren boss Zak Brown wrote to FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem earlier this month to say a financial breach "constitutes cheating". Verstappen took the title by eight points. Hamilton was denied a record eighth world crown when former race director Michael Masi fudged the safety car rules at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The ABA - which ensures Red Bull lose any right to appeal - avoids the team risking a harsher punishment which might have included the deduction of points and Hamilton being instated as last year's title winner.
In addition to the fine, Red Bull have had their wind tunnel time reduced by 10 per cent over the next 12 months - a punishment Horner called "draconian" and claimed will cost his team up to half-a-second in lap time. Red Bull have entered into a so-called Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA) with F1's governing body. The FIA confirmed in Mexico City on Friday that Red Bull - the team which carried Verstappen to the most contentious title in the sport's history - overspent by £1.86m.
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