Red Bull boss: Ferrari scandal cost us £21m

RED Bull’S motorsport consultant helmut Marko believes his team have been swindled out of £21million by the FIA’s handling of the Ferrari engine row. his comments came as the FIA admitted yesterday they were not convinced last year’s Ferrari — which is alleged to have run an illicit fuel flow — was always legal, but took no further action because it was too complex to prove. Ferrari retained second place in the 2019 constructors’ championship, meaning third-placed red Bull, 87 points back, missed out on the extra £21m that would have been theirs had they been promoted a spot. ‘the conduct of the FIA is the real scandal,’ Dr Marko told Germany’s Der

Spiegel. ‘We should have instructed team principal Christian horner to sue for the £21m that would have been awarded if Ferrari had been punished accordingly.’ the controversy broke on Wednesday when seven disgruntled teams criticised the ‘confidential settlement’ reached between the regulators and Ferrari and demanded ‘full disclosure’. the FIA responded: ‘Investigations raised suspicions that the Ferrari power-unit could be considered as not operating within the limits of the FIA regulations at all times. ‘the FIA was not fully satisfied but decided that further action would not necessarily result in a conclusive case. ‘to avoid the negative consequences that a long litigation would entail, especially in light of the uncertainty of the outcome and in the best interest of the championship… (we) decided to enter into an effective and dissuasive settlement with Ferrari.’ the seven teams are now awaiting the FIA’s reply to a separate, private letter.