F1 CEO hits out at pleas over rule change

Cars scramble into the first corner at the United States Grand prix — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 CEO hits out at pleas over rule change

The team boss has responded to concerns from the rest of the paddock over his team

Tyler Rowlinson

Wednesday 14 February 2024 00:57

Visa Cash App RB CEO Peter Bayer has hit back at McLaren chief Zak Brown, after the latter suggested that the FIA should more closely manage relationships between 'senior' and 'junior' linked teams.

The Red Bull 'second team' rebranded from AlphaTauri to Visa Cash App RB for 2024, as they attempt to become more distinct from the reigning constructors' champions.

The new rebranding will see the team work closer with their Milton Keynes counterparts than before and they have already used as many parts from their parent team as they are allowed in the regulations.

The VCARB-01 – which was unveiled on February 8 – has many similarities to the RB19 that gave Max Verstappen total dominance over the grid last season, winning 19 out of 22 races and scoring a record 575 points.

The Faenza team have undergone major rebranding for 2024

Visa Cash App RB will work closer with their parent team

Bayer fires back at criticism

Article continues under video

One of the key similarities is VCARB’s decision to adopt pull-rod front suspension like Red Bull, as well as having a similar radiator intake and using their parent team’s gearbox and rear suspension package.

There have been concerns about the heightened relationships between the two teams, with McLaren boss Zak Brown calling for the FIA to change the rules surrounding A and B teams, claiming that teams teaming up defeats the point of what a constructor is.

“As long as you’re last, people will not even realise you’re there.

“As soon as you start knocking on the door, they will throw everything at you that they can. I’m coming from the FIA and I know how much scrutiny there is on all of the teams.

“Certainly, there is even more scrutiny when it comes to the teams working closer together. The rules are very clear. You might have seen the statement of the FIA when they looked at our car, [it said] ‘this is a different concept’. There is nothing that concerns us.”

Red Bull FIA Zak Brown AlphaTauri Peter Bayer