The troubles for Red Bull are far from over, as the FIA has confirmed its involvement in using an illegal tool. The team had hoped for a turnaround at the Circuit of the Americas, but things took a turn for the worse. Although Max Verstappen secured the third spot, the team’s misery could grow if found guilty of Parc Ferme Breach. Following a solid performance in Singapore, the technical team gathered valuable data to develop a major upgrade package for the Austin race. However, the cloud of controversy continues to hover over RBR.
Amid all the chaos, rival F1 bosses have taken a jab at the defending champions. Earlier, it was Zak Brown who demanded transparency in the investigation. He also suggested the RBR personnel sign an affidavit confirming they never misused the tool. Now, Toto Wolff has shared his thoughts on Red Bull’s cheating allegations.
“Outrageous,” Toto Wolff’s Take On Red Bull Cheating
Recent TV coverage revealed Red Bull demonstrating to the FIA how their system operates, which caught the attention of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. He expressed his outrage at the situation, stating that based on what he has observed, it is unacceptable. Wolff found humor in the fact that Red Bull used a literal broom as part of their demonstration, questioning the effort and creativity involved in creating such a prop for the presentation.
Despite his amusement, Wolff, like McLaren boss Zak Brown, emphasized that the sport cannot simply take Red Bull at its word regarding future compliance. He made it clear that Red Bull’s promise to refrain from using the system in the future was insufficient. Wolff pointed out the questionable design choice that included two distinct marks on the device for different positions, raising doubts about the decision-making processes within the team and the broader implications for integrity in Formula 1.
Max Verstappen Describes The Red Bull Cheating Allegations As ‘Bizzare’
Amidst heavy criticism, Max Verstappen defended the team’s actions, asserting they were legal. In a media interaction, he referred to the device as ‘open source’ since it was visible to all. He further clarified that the team utilized it fairly and considered it merely a helpful tool.
As a result, the Dutchman was surprised by the reports linking Red Bull to this controversy, viewing it as just a standard tool. Despite Verstappen’s positive words, things could still go wrong for the Bulls. If deemed guilty, the RBR drivers may face penalties.