The Red Bull team principal finally addressed the F1 cost cap saga in his first public media appearance since his team’s breach was confirmed by the FIA on Saturday at the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:United States Grand Prix. 

Horner was joined in the press conferenc💮e by McLaren boss Zak Brown, who has been one of Red Bull’s most vocal rivals regarding the cost cap.

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Brown wrote a letter to F1’s governing body the FIA in which he said any breaking of the budget cap168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: “constitutes cheating”, though he s🐈topped short of directly naming Red Bull.&n꧃bsp;

During their face-off, Horner blasted Brown’s lett꧑er and said it has felt like Red Bull have “been on trial” since the rumours of a po♍tential breach first emerged over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. 

“It is tremendously disappointing for a competitor to a♓ccuse you of cheating and fraudulent [behaviour],” said Horner. 

“It's absolutely shocking🐻 that another competitor, without the facts, without any knowlegde of the details, can be making that kind of accusation.

“We’ve been on trial since Singapore. The rhetoric of cheats. The numbers in the 💖media are miles away from reality.

“The damage this done to the brand, our drivers, our workforce? In an age where mental health is prevalant? We see kids bullied in playgroun💟ds who are kids of our employees.&nb𒊎sp;

"You cannot make these allegations without fact or substance. 🌸;We are appalled at the behaviour of some of our competitors.”

Horner, who was seen holding a meeting with FIA president Mohammed ♉Ben Sulayem in the COTA paddock on Friday, confirmed the FIA🌟 has offered Red Bull terms for an 'Accepted Breach Agreement’. 

However, he refused to reveal what penalty has been offered to Red Bull. German publication ha🌸s reported that a deduction of 25 🦂percent of the wind tunnel time for next season and a fine is the proposed penalty. 

“I can’t tell you th▨at, 🧔it’s confidential,” Horner said. 

“Once concluded there will be transparency and I will talk you through our submissions and the position we had♏.”

Amid mounting speculation over the exact figure of Red Bull’s overspend - which 🧔ha🌌s been kept confidential - Horner claimed the breach was no more than $200,000. 

“There is a concerted campaign for a dr𓃲aconian penalty for Red Bull [over] a couple🧸 of hundred thousand dollars,” he added. 

“We have been subjected to three weeks of abuse. It’s just not right. It 𒉰has to🌄 stop.”

‘Zero benefit’ for Red Bull 

Horner insisted that Red Bull gained “zero benefit from an operational perspectiv𝄹e.” 

Asked if Red Bull gained an advantage, a defiant Horner replied: “Absolutely not. What are the relevant costs within the c🍸ap - this is where the interpretation comes from.

“Our view is that our relevant costs come within th🌊e cap. We are in ta💎lks with the FIA over mitigating circumstances.

“We had zero benef❀it from an operational perspective. 

“Our submission 🧔was below the c꧂ap. We expect things to be challenged or clarified.

“Based on third-party accoౠunting, the interpretation of the♌ 52-page document was clear from our side.

“We absolutely do not feel that we had any𒐪 advantage in 2021 or 2022. It is totally fictitious.”

How long could this take? 

Red Bull, who maintain their in๊nocence, must now decide whethꦉer to accept the ABA or challenge the FIA’s verdict. 

Doing so would result in the matter being taken before an adjudication panel of independent judges to review the🎶 case and determine whether the party is guilty, and what penalty should be applied. 

If Red Bull are still unsatisfied aꦕnd opted to appeal, there is♊ a possibility the case could go to the International Court of Appeal. 

H🌠orner warned the saga could drag on for “eight or nine months” but stressed that is not Red Bull’s intention.&⛎nbsp;

“We want closure,” he explained.  

“It is in th𝔍e interests of everybody, the sport, to get ♈this resolved as quickly as possible. There are many lessons that can be learned.”