Red Bull is under the scanner currently for apparently exceeding the set budget cap by Formula One. However, their team principal Christian Horner is confident that no such mark was breached and is expecting a positive result from FIA’s investigation.

During Max Verstappen’s unforgettable title-winning season, it was claimed that Red Bull had spent over $145 million, an accusation that also rests on the shoulders of Aston Martin. These reports emerged at the Singapore Grand Prix, where Sergio Perez won the race in dire conditions while Verstappen finished seventh. 

“No. We’re absolutely confident in our submission,” Horner said. “Our auditors signed off our audit. We believe we are comfortably within the cap.”

There were some allegations made by Mercedes principal Toto Wolff, who said that it is an open secret (that Red Bull and Aston Martin had overspent). He went on to add that Red Bull had taken an unfair advantage, which allowed Verstappen to narrowly edge past Sir Lewis Hamilton in the title chase. 

However, a lot of that could change if the FIA verdict does not go in Red Bull’s favor. There are two possible breaches, a minor and a major one. If Red Bull had exceeded their spending by under 5% of the said amount ($145m). If it is more than 5%, it could lead to some serious ramifications like disqualification from the championship or deduction of points, which could hand Lewis Hamilton his eighth world title. 

Horner was unhappy with the comments made by Wolff and questioned the legitimacy of his sources before making such accusations in public. “It was totally unacceptable to make a completely unfounded allegation and on the basis of what knowledge? Where is this source of information?” Horner questioned. 

Red Bull management remains confident that their submissions will keep them in safe grounds. 

It has been an eventful season for Red Bull racing, whose lead racer Verstappen is miles ahead of his competitors in the world championship chase. The Belgian enjoys a 104-point championship lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and 106 points on his teammate, Pérez. If he is ahead by 112 points of both these drivers after the Suzuka race, he will secure his second title in two years.