Horner expects apology from competition: 'We have taken a public pounding'

Christian Horner believes his team deserves an apology from the other Formula 1 teams. Red Bull Racing was accused for weeks of exceeding the budget cap, causing major damage to the team's reputation.

During Red Bull's called-in press conference, Horner was asked if he wants to apologise for breaching the budget cap and the distraction the whole soap opera has caused in the sport.

"To be honest with you. I think we are due an apology from some of our rivals for some of the claims that they've made. We make no apology for the way that we perform and the way that we attacked. We take it on the chin that there are lessons to be learnt and mistakes were made in our submission with hindsight", the Red Bull team boss begins.

The team stressed that the breach did not provide an advantage in the development of the car. The extra money was spent on things like catering and sick leave. "There was no intent, there was no dishonesty and certainly no cheating, which has been alleged in certain corners. So, I don't feel that we need to apologise. There have been lessons learned and everybody can learn from this."

Horner: 'They don't know what they'e talking about'

Toto Wolff and Zak Brown, among others, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the punishment imposed by the FIA. The team bosses hope the FIA will be tougher on teams breaking the rules in the future. Horner disagrees. "It is a strong deterrent for the future, so anybody that diminishes that penalty doesn’t know what they’re talking about."

"We have taken a public pounding from the accusations that other teams have made. We've had our drivers booed at circuits. The reputational damage has been significant and the time for that to stop is now and move on", the Briton ends.