F1 LIVE – Wolff insider accused of being ‘mole’ amid Horner threat

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Red Bull are facing accusations that they broke rules last season by exceeding the £114million budget cap. The team have hit back at claims and denied any wrongdoing but will discover their fate on Wednesday when the FIA conclude their investigation into the team’s financial data.

Depending on if they’re found guilty, and how significant their overspend was, Red Bull could face severe sanctions, including Max Verstappen being potentially stripped of the title if driver points are docked. 

Latest reports from Auto Motor und Sport claim Red Bull could’ve spent £9m over the budget, which would likely result in a stronger punishment if the FIA corroborate those claims as it exceeds the five per cent the FIA allow for a ‘minor violation’.

Mercedes and Ferrari have been pushing for Red Bull to be hit with the strongest punishment possible ahead of Wednesday’s announcement but team boss Christian Horner has threatened them with legal action for ‘defamatory’ comments and maintained they did not breach rules last season.

Meanwhile, there was plenty of drama on the track at the weekend with Sergio Perez almost being dramatically denied victory at the Singapore Grand Prix after being handed a post-race penalty and Verstappen clashing with his own team on multiple occasions. 

Follow here for all the latest on the ongoing Red Bull saga and F1 news after the Singapore GP

KEY EVENTS

  • Toto Wolff ‘insider’ accused of being ‘mole’09:25

    • Mattia Binotto spotted ahead of Mercedes talks

    Mercedes boss Mattia Binotto was caught walking into Mercedes hospitality ahead of yesterday’s Singapore Grand Prix. 

    The Ferrari boss had a one-hour meeting with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff on Friday and was in the building for around half an hour yesterday. 

    Ferrari have previously claimed they are after the maximum penalty possible if Red Bull are found guilty by the FIA.

    READ MORE

    Toto Wolff ‘insider’ accused of being ‘mole’

    A former employee of Toto Wolff may have leaked the claims that Red Bull broke F1 budget cap rules, says Ralf Schumacher. 

    He has called on the FIA to undertake a major investigation to determine if an in-house mole could be to blame. 

    It comes after Red Bull chief Helmut Marko also blamed a “mole” for leaking the information.

    Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Schumacher said: “We all know that a close confidante and former employee of Toto Wolff is now working in a position at the FIA.

    “The FIA has to undergo an investigation into itself, because this information simply must not slip out.”

    READ MORE

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