Mercedes and Red Bull take aim over McLaren voting accusations

Formula 1

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Mercedes and Red Bull take aim over McLaren voting accusations

McLaren CEO Zak Brown suggested a secret ballot for voting to ensure collusion is avoided between affiliate teams

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Tuesday 4 May 2021 18:31

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Mercedes and Red Bull have taken aim at one another for pressuring affiliate teams in the wake of McLaren's open letter on the state of F1.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently addressed a number of topics in the sport with the subject of secret ballots during team voting just one suggestion by the American.

The idea teams could be influenced into voting against their best interests was raised but Red Bull team principal Christian Horner absolved his outfit of blame and instead pointed to the affiliation between engine supplying teams.

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When asked about his thoughts of the contents of the open letter, Horner responded: "I heard about that and I can only assume it is because of pressure applied by a supplier which, if that is the case, is a shame.

"McLaren is one of the most historic teams in Formula 1, they have always had a big voice.

"Certainly, when I came into F1, Ron Dennis was extremely passionate on every topic and had something to say on everything that involved the sport.

"It would be a shame to go behind a secret ballot but the team has a right to request that. If that is what it takes for independent votes then we don't have a major issue with it."

Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff fired back by suggesting AlphaTauri and Haas follow the demands of Red Bull and Ferrari.

"I didn't know Zak could write as presidential as he did," joked Wolff initially.

He then added: "It was a good letter overall. I think he addressed all the important points. I find it very positive that McLaren and Zak have expressed their opinions on controversial topics.

"I think we need more outspokenness as Zak has done with this letter. I find it overall, very good.

"In terms of the secret ballot, we have seen in the past that Toto Rosso [now AlphaTauri] has voted with Red Bull without any exceptions and Haas has gone the Ferrari way.

"In our case, we have never tried to influence a team... obviously, things have been discussed when it was a common topic, like on the power unit.

"It is clear teams will work with each other and none of the teams would vote against their own interests in terms of chassis regulations.

"The idea of the secret ballot is good. I doubt Franz [Tost, AlphaTauri team principal] is not going to take instructions and neither will Guenther [Steiner, Haas team principal].

"But the intent is obviously good. No team should be influenced by any affiliate or supplier."