Verstappen insists Red Bull has 'strong belief' its within cost cap

Max Verstappen says Red Bull has "a strong belief" that it did not exceed Formula 1's budget cap in 2021, a view also conveyed by his teammate Sergio Perez.

Ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin, information has filtered that the FIA has submitted to Red Bull its Accepted Breach Agreement by which the team would acknowledge its breach of F1's financial regulations and accept the penalty imposed upon it by the governing body.

However, a delay in the two parties reaching a settlement suggests that Red Bull is defending its corner which could lead the team to argue its case in front of a Cost Cap Adjudication Panel as the FIA's procedures would allow it to do.

Questioned on Thursday at COTA on his team's affairs, Verstappen stated that "from our side we really believe that we are right".

• Read also: FIA in talks with Red Bull to settle cost cap breach

"It’s something between the team and the FIA," he added. "From our side, we have a strong belief that we were in it [within the cost cap] so that’s why of course we are discussing with them about it to show what we think is right.

"But at the end of the day it’s not up to me, I’ll just focus on the performance on track."

Verstappen later told Sky F1 that rival teams' stance on the matter and their criticism of Red Bull was "hypocritical" and part of a ploy to "slow us down".

"I think it's mainly because we have been doing well. They tried to slow us down in any way possible," said the Dutchman.

"But at the end of the day, that's how F1 works as well. You know everyone is, at the end of the day, a bit hypocritical and I'm fine with that. We just have to focus on our job."

Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez believes the facts will soon "come out" and clarify Red Bull's situation.

"We believe we are in line [with the cost cap]," said the Mexican. "We believe everything will come up in the right situation.

"There’s always teams that want to take performance out of you – especially when you are winning. It’s part of the sport and this has been forever. It’s just a normal situation.

"At the end of the day facts will come out and people will see and understand the situation."

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