Red Bull has "evidence" of alleged Aston Martin IP breach - Marko

Red Bull - Aston Martin

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Red Bull has "evidence" of alleged Aston Martin IP breach - Marko

Copying row has taken another twist

Ian Parkes

Friday 20 May 2022 17:15

Helmut Marko claims Red Bull has "evidence" in its copying furore with Aston Martin.

For now, Aston Martin has been cleared by the FIA of any wrongdoing after a routine legality check of its planned aerodynamic upgrade prior to this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix found it resembled the Red Bull RB18.

The AMR22s of Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll have a new floor body, floor fences and floor edges, along with a sidepod inlet, coke/engine cover, cooling louvres, rear wing and halo.

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Following an investigation by the FIA under article 17.3 of the technical regulations relating to 'reverse engineering' and IP transfer, Aston Martin has - for now - been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Red Bull, however, has raised particular concerns with regard to IP transfer, notably as it lost seven staff over the winter to Aston Martin, including chief aerodynamicist Dan Fallows who started work with the Silverstone-based team on April 2 as its new technical director.

During FP1 at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, Red Bull poked fun at Aston Martin as team principal Christian Horner and his staff on the pitwall were seen drinking from cans of green Red Bull.

Speaking to Sky Germany about Aston Martin's latest car design, Marko said: "You now have to clarify how this incredible copy came about.

"You have to take into account that seven people were poached from us and that our chief aerodynamics specialist was drawn to Aston Martin for a disproportionately high fee.

"There are still some facts which we are examining. We will investigate the matter in detail."

Marko added: "There is evidence that data was downloaded. Copying is not strictly forbidden but can you copy without documents and then get such a detailed copy of our car?"

Marko has also pulled no punches with regard to Fallows' salary with Aston Martin, and how that may pertain to F1's budget cap.

"The sums that are used here are incomprehensible," said Marko.

"Also in connection with the cost cap, if an aerodynamics specialist suddenly earns so much more, how is it supposed to work out overall?"