Mercedes Accused of Using FIA Insider as Abu Dhabi Bad Blood Triggers Fresh Battle Against Max Verstappen & Red Bull: “Strange That He Still Hasn’t Got Over It”

In a season for Mercedes, where plans have rarely worked out, they have found themselves in yet another controversy. Accusations of the most dangerous kind against their biggest rival, Red Bull, have put Mercedes in muddy water.

Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton lost out in a very dramatic fashion on the last lap of the last race of 2021. Red Bull and Max Verstappen snatched the championship from under their noses. There was a lot of anger and furor over the whole incident, but things died down over time. One would’ve expected, almost a year since that incident, no one would be discussing it. Wrong.

A breach of the cost cap regulations has been alleged against Red Bull. A breach is rumored to be an overspend of greater than 5% over the limit, i.e. $145 million.

Red Bull has not taken the allegations lightly. Red Bull CEO, Helmut Marko, has come out all guns blazing against their rivals. He told Austrian broadcaster ORF, “It’s a massive damage to reputation. Abu Dhabi is long gone. It’s a bit strange that he still hasn’t got over it.”

He has further alleged that ex-Mercedes legal adviser, Shaila-Ann Rao, who currently works for the FIA is ‘leaking’ information to old employers.

“It is more than surprising how Toto Wolff came up with these numbers,” he said. “He speaks of a massive overrun. There must be a leak somewhere at the FIA.”

“We all know that a close confidante and former employee of Toto Wolff is now working in a very high position at the FIA,” said Marko, barely mincing words. [translated using Google]

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The nature and magnitude of accusations from both sides are quite great. Regardless, Red Bull would not want to be on the wrong side of the cost caps. A penalty for Red Bull could result in them losing the 2021 title.

Mercedes have found support from other teams against Red Bull

The FIA’s cost cap regulations, first introduced last season, continue to remain in news. While the Williams team received a fine for their late submission of documents, cases of Aston Martin and Red Bull continue to be under investigation.

Taking to Sky Sports, Toto Wolff said, “All of us have been investigated diligently and, as far as we understand, there is a team is in minor breach, which is more procedural, and another team that is fundamentally massively over and that is still being looked after. That is an open secret in the paddock.”

Ferrari team boss, Mattia Binotto, has backed Wolff’s comments. He told Sky Italia, “Apart from implications on last year’s championship there are also implications for the current one.”

“Let’s wait until Wednesday before making a judgment, but whatever amount we are talking about it’s important to understand that even if it is four million, which falls into the category of what is considered a ‘minor breach’, four million is not minor.”

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As the matter continues to remain sub-judice, it is important to not make judgments at the time. However, one thing is for sure, whatever decision the FIA takes, it’ll affect the sport in a major way.