Formula 1: Suspicions on Red Bull

[luicchi]

In the current issue Autosprint reveals the background to the report - a summary of which we offer - led by a Dutch company accounts management team of world champion. The consequences
A survey-testing conducted in the months from a independent company, the Dutch Capgemini , the expenses incurred by teams entered the championship of Formula 1, would have led to the discovery of "discrepancies in entering the voices" of the budget of Red Bull . In essence, the suspicion is that the team would provide indications Anglo-Austrian dispute about its structure , especially in the way in which the workforce is made ​​. A year ago, the F1 team had signed a pact to avoid the increase costs , imposing a cost ceiling on certain items , such as for example the number of people involved in the car, set at 280 as well as engineers, were excluded by the number of steps, for example the employment of pilots . The Red Bull Like all teams, do not publicly declare its budget , but the best estimates that about 150 million euros for the current season. This is not the best team spendthrift - McLaren and Ferrari definitely invest more - but for sure is that, in recent years, has done the best results. This has probably also created jealousy and suspicion . But what now seems an important evidence of a certain unease , by Red Bull , is the fact that the leaders of the team would try to stop the pursuit of Capgemini , to invalidate the grounds that they were committed some illegal formal . It is, according to our sources, a kind of invasion of privacy . In the sense that the information regarding the teams are "sensitive data" and Red Bull would have disputed the fact the Dutch have them disclosed . At this point, the Formula One Team Associatiion want a clarification . The meeting this week could give it, or spark further controversy. The agreement for the restriction of resources is binding on those teams who have signed it . At the moment there is no mention of penalties for any crimes, but the very fact that the teams have asked for help from Capgemini shows clearly that we want to present you with balanced budgets , from the point of view of resource allocation. Red Bull faces a "downgrading ", if they could not explain the irregularities that would result in the expert opinion? We'll see. Of course, the threshold of the mathematics of winning the second world title Vettel , and with the team to 451 points in the Constructors' against 325 of McLaren and Ferrari 254, this is the worst time to get negative publicity. And perhaps, by Who would not want the good of Red Bull, this moment was not chosen at random.


source: http://www.auto.it/autosprint/formul...ulla+Red+Bull+

heheheh...once more, we make an agreement...but we dont execute.
It is time that both Mclaren, Ferrari and Mercedes dont agree nothing with no one.

[Hornet]

Just like team orders, IMO, if it cannot be effectively enforced, its only fair to abolish it completely. Otherwise its unfair that other teams obey it thinking that everyone else would, and then someone breaks the agreement and yet its not technically illegal and so they get away with it.

If they want to stick to it, then they need the FIA to enforce it.

[racingbradley]

And why isn't it illegal ?????????????? Because it cannot be properly policed I guess?????

[scuderiafan]

didnt Stefano and Horner get into arguments over this?

[shostak]

CHEATERS

[Greig]

same was reported last year, nobody seemed to care too much which suggests others were spending a bit more than agreed as well

[FerrariF60]

for this to work it has to be policed or enforced by the FIA; this gentleman's agreement that they have in place apparently doesn't work
so if there's proof that they are spending more, then by all means we should do the same

[Jacquesvw]

Does the driver or the team pay for helmets? I guess all Seb's helmet changes are pretty expensive as well...

[REDARMYSOJA]

same was reported last year, nobody seemed to care too much which suggests others were spending a bit more than agreed as well

Yep, and it's only a FOTA agreement, not a rule. FOTA could fine them and or kick them out, that's about it.

[Greig]

Should kick them out

[Rob]

This has come around again. The only way to possibly police it and get evidence to ask all teams for their budgets and expenses. But, we all know the teams aint going to let that happen. Only thing could do, is RBR or any other team go to private meeting with FIA, with a independent witness (lawyer maybe) to go through all the out goings of said team, just to clear this matter up.

[REDARMYSOJA]

Should kick them out

They did Williams and Force India once, but later let them back in. Pretty hollow punishment.

[Meiga]

Should kick them out

Hang, drawn and quarter - we should not settle for anything else.

[zuludemon]

All teams have to file accounts, verified by independents, with FOTA... IMO this is the same as last time... surely someone cant be beating Macca and Ferrari fair and square.... they must be cheating.....

Last time I heard this story it was because whoever was looking into it wasnt looking at RBR accounts they were looking at RedBull accounts and got it wrong (obviously)

[cfmatt]

Whats the use of having RRA if teams keep bending and breaking the rules...FOTA is quite powerless, as usul they will succumb to the FIA..

after all the noises Luca d Montezmolo made in 2009, they are still racing in a championship with FOM and FIA and Bernie...

Why could not Ferrari catch up in 2009?? they ahd no RRA then...

F1 is more than having $$$

[fanoff1]

The news in English
http://www.f1zone.net/news/audit-sho...1-budget/9018/

An audit by a company called Capgemini has found “discrepancies” in relation to Red Bull’s budget in the context of last year’s resource restriction agreement.

That is the claim of Italian magazine Autosprint, as Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel travels to Singapore where he can wrap up his second consecutive championship this weekend.

Earlier this year, boss Christian Horner denied claims the team flouted the FOTA-governed cost savings agreement by as much as EUR 60 million in 2010.

Autosprint said the suspicion is that Red Bull broke the agreement by filing contentious information about its structure and workforce.

The magazine cited “sources” in claiming Red Bull figures have attempted to stop the Capgemini audit because it is an “invasion of privacy” requiring the release of “sensitive data”.

The report said the teams association FOTA, headed by McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh, wants a “clarification” at a meeting this week even though “at the moment there is no mention of any penalties”.

Autosprint also questioned the timing of the emergence of the Capgemini story, given that Red Bull is on the cusp of securing both the drivers’ and constructors’ world championships for the second season running.

[impactX]

Why would anyone follow a non-binding gentlemen's agreement to shoot themselves in the foot in a cut-throat sport such as F1?

If HRT has unlimited resources, they would use it all to gain an advantage. If they win the WCC, they get paid more money + the extra advertisement they get by being at the top will be well worth the cost.