Horner calls on FIA "to be on top" of policing F1 teams

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has urged the FIA to thoroughly police all Formula 1 teams following last year's furore surrounding Racing Point.

The team that has this year become Aston Martin was found guilty of copying brake ducts that had run on the previous year's Mercedes, leading to a 15-point deduction of constructors' championship points and a €400,000 fine.

The points penalty ultimately cost Racing Point several millions of pounds more as it finished fourth in the constructors' standings, just seven points adrift of McLaren.

Asked whether he had any concerns the FIA might be unable to control the situation this year, Horner particularly focused his attention on next season's regulations when the cars are due to undergo a radical transformation, opening the possibility of rules exploitation.

"Last year we saw the regulations stretched to the limit of what’s feasible and what isn’t," said Horner.

"The FIA is acutely aware, and as the governing body, you have to trust in them to police accordingly.

"Obviously, there is the topic of the 2022 car, which is a clean sheet of paper and again the FIA need to be on top of ensuring that no team artificially benefits through that of a customer or affiliate or associate team.

"It’s something we at Red Bull take very, very seriously. The relationship with Toro Rosso, now AlphaTauri, has scrupulous discipline as to how we operate, respectful of those rules.

"Of course, you trust in the governing body to police those and enforce those accordingly."

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has every faith the FIA will act accordingly. He said: "New regulations were put in place.

"We’re confident the FIA will monitor that very closely and will make sure that the rules are executed as they should be.

"We’re an independent team. We’re of the view that everyone should be a constructor but there is obviously the ability to collaborate.

"We just have to trust in the FIA, that they’ll monitor the situation and make sure the rules are followed accordingly."

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