Horner lashes out: 'We are appalled by the behaviour of our competitors'

McLaren CEO Brown wrote a letter to the FIA calling on the governing body to quickly clarify the regulations. According to the American, any team that overspent deserves a penalty, as an unfair advantage is created when the budget cap is exceeded. Brown hopes the FIA will communicate the consequences that follow for teams that have not followed the rules.

In the FIA press conference, Horner hits out hard at Brown. "Zak's letter wasn't copied to us. It's tremendously disappointing for a fellow competitor to accuse you of cheating, to accuse you of fraudulent activity, is shocking. Without the facts, any knowledge of the details to make that accusation."

Horner: 'That does huge damage to the brand'

The first rumours about the budget cap surfaced during the weekend of the Singapore Grand Prix. Since then, various reports have surfaced claiming Red Bull overspent by more than seven million. Amounts of two million have also been mentioned. Horner stresses how damaging the rumours could be for the brand, as well as its employees.

"We have been on trial because of public accusations since Singapore, numbers put out in the media that are miles out. The damage that does to the brand, our partners, our drivers, our workforce. In an age when mental health is prevalent, we are seeing significant issues within our workforce. Kids being bullied in the playground of employees children, that is not right. You cannot go around making that kind of allegation without fact or substance. We are appalled by the behaviour of our competitors."