“Spent very effectively,” Christian Horner takes a cheeky jibe at the FIA over the $7 million cost cap fine
The Red Bull team boss seems to hold a grudge over the fine imposed on his team in 2022.
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Christian Horner
The 2023 Formula 1 season is in full swing. This year, the sport has overhauled the setup for press conferences. F1 drivers and team bosses now sit on a couch in a more talk show-centric ambiance. The old individual stools have been done away with. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner acknowledged these changes in a rather interesting way.
Red Bull were forced to pay a fine of $7 Million to the sport’s governing body for breaching the F1 cost cap. Additionally, a 10% reduction in aerodynamic testing time has also been imposed on the Austrian team. Christian Horner took a dig over the new press conference stage as a way of spending the sum his team paid to the FIA. Horner stated, “Well, it’s great to see the fine being applied so well.”
The 48-year-old described the new press conference set-up introduced at the Bahrain GP. Christian Horner said, “We’ve got a new FIA couch, and Tom [Clarkson, press conference presenter] has got a new suit.” Moreover, the Red Bull boss had a feisty way of complimenting the FIA over the new stage as Christian still seems unhappy over the cost cap fine. He continued, “It’s great to see the funding into the FIA being spent very effectively.”
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Red Bull Racing leads the F1 grid with the promising RB-19
Christian Horner might have his differences with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. As seen in ‘Drive to Survive,’ or even on stage at the FIA Prize giving gala. Yet, Red Bull have continued its progress over the winter. As the Austrian team turned heads with its 2023 challenger, the RB-19 at Pre-season testing. Subsequently, even rivals believe themselves to be a step behind the Milton-Keynes team.
At the Bahrain GP Qualifying, it was Max Verstappen who clinched the Pole position. While teammate Sergio Perez helped Red Bull lock out the front row. Consequently, the speculation in the paddock seems to be coming true, as the Austrian team continues to set the benchmark on the grid. Although It remains to be seen whether rivals can stop Christian Horner’s title-winning force.
Thus, the 49-year-old is not hiding his feelings over the cost cap fine. Although, Christian Horner might be worried more over the reduced aero time for his team. As this might provide competitors such as Ferrari and Mercedes to catch up to the Milton-Keynes team. Previously, Max Verstappen has declined to rule out the possibility of Red Bull losing out to rivals over the course of the season.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2310 Articles Published)