Horner points finger at Mercedes in Racing Point RP20 controversy

  • Published on 13 Aug 2020 12:45
  • comments 3
  • By: Coilin Higgins

Red Bull team principal has spoken out about Mercedes' involvement in the development of the controversial Racing Point RP20, claiming the German team could be found guilty if the incident does go to court.

A number of teams have confirmed their intention to appeal the fine and championship points deduction after Racing Point was found guilty of using Mercedes brake ducts, including Ferrari and Renault.

It is understood Williams and McLaren have decided not to appeal, while Racing Point itself is looking to appeal the decision, citing the team stayed within the regulations during the development of the RP20.

The RP20 turned heads when it was unveiled last February, with its striking resemblance to the 2019 title-winning Mercedes W10, with it being nicknamed 'the pink Mercedes' in the paddock.

With Mercedes having supplied CAD information and brake ducts to Racing Point in the development of the RP20, Horner told Autosport that it could be possible that Mercedes would be also found guilty alongside the team based at Silverstone.

“Well, it's an interesting one,” Horner said.

“I think the biggest thing for us is that we just want absolute clarity as to what is and what isn't permissible moving forwards.

“Obviously Red Bull is in a unique position that they own 100% of two Grand Prix teams. So we've always complied stringently with the regulations since the constructor rules within the last Concorde were made very, very clear.

“So for us, it's that there is a bigger picture to this, it's not just about brake ducts, it's about what is philosophically allowed, and what isn't.

“Regarding Mercedes, I'm sure those questions will get asked, because if the team in question are guilty of receiving, surely the team that has provided has also been in breach of those regulations? That's something for the FIA.”

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Don’t like all these allegations, but when Racing Points gets punished, Mercedes should be too for breaking the rules.

    • + 0
    • Aug 13 2020 - 17:03
  • Snooky

    Posts: 121

    Think it’s a fair question to ask, are Mercedes equally guilty for providing Non listed parts to teams? Or do they play dumb and say it’s up to RP to change the parts not them

    • + 0
    • Aug 13 2020 - 19:56
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    Let’s just race. I think that the F-1 is at fault
    Racing point submitted its plans and they approved. They knew the rule change and should have made focus of that.
    On another note is anyone at F-1 looking at Renault to make sure Budkowski isn’t using conceptual knowledge to help steer Renault in the right direction? It’s all in the grey zone. I think racing point is getting screwed. They got screwed before when stroll bought the team and loss of points

    • + 0
    • Aug 14 2020 - 00:24

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
-
Spain
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
-
Italy
-
Italy
-
Italy
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar