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McLaren's Seidl not interested in Red Bull's 'fairy tales'

McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl says he took no interest on Friday in Christian Horner's lamentations over Red Bull's budget cap saga, dismissing the riton's press conference as just "another fairy tale".

Horner faced the media for an hour on Friday morning in Mexico City, sifting through and commenting his team's settlement with the FIA regarding its transgression in 2021 of F1's financial regulations.

Red Bull was hit with a hefty $7 million fine for its breach and a sporting penalty in the form of a 10 percent reduction in aerodynamic research – wind tunnel and CFD hours - with immediate effect.

Horner called the sanctions "draconian", but Seidl, when asked if he had listened to the Red Bull chiefs comments, said: "No, I didn’t listen to it because I can imagine it was another fairy tale, probably. Not really interested in that.

"In the end, on a positive side I think it’s good to see the FIA did a good job in terms of doing the audit. Nine teams got it right and it was clear one team was in breach, so that’s a positive outcome.

"But on a negative side, it’s also clear, from my point of view, that the penalty doesn’t fit the breach. I just hope moving forward we have stricter penalties in place."

Read also:

Wolff: Cost cap saga inflicted 'reputational damage' on Red Bull

F1 teams will have certainly taken many learnings from their firs year of official financial scrutiny by the FIA. Seidl believes there is little risk of overspend by teams in the future.

"There’s absolutely no reason to be in breach this year," he said. "We had good discussions earlier this year with all teams, the FIA and F1 regarding these topics.

"That’s why the cap was adjusted and it was also made clear from all teams and the FIA’s side that there is absolutely no reason, after this positive decisions in the interests of the sport, that there is any breach at the end of the year.

"I just hope if there is any breach, it ends up being appropriate penalties."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.