Max Verstappen sends aggressive message to Mercedes and Ferrari over budget cap storm
Max Verstappen has hit back at Mercedes and Ferrari after claiming Red Bull broke F1's budget cap rules. Verstappen asked rival teams to "keep their mouths shut" on the matter after the allegations surfaced at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The German newspaper had claimed that Red Bull were around £9m ($10m) below last season's budget cap. This would put the team above the five percent required for the FIA to consider the issue a minor violation.
This means Red Bull could face stiff penalties, including the loss of World Championship points if the reports are proven to be true by the FIA investigation. Ferrari called on Red Bull to be severely punished for breaking the rules.
Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed other teams would be at a "massive disadvantage" if the claims were true.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton responds to accusations against Red Bull 'breaking the rules
It is understood that Wolff and Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto had an hour-long meeting before free practice on Friday to discuss the matter. However, Verstappen criticized the team's rivals and stressed that the comments did not affect him.
He said, "I know where it's coming from so for me it's fine." The Dutchman was then pushed to find out if he thought Red Bull wouldn't be penalised.
Verstappen replied: "What I hear from the team, yes, but when other teams start talking about it, they have no information and I find it a bit silly. Shut your mouth."
CAN'T MISS Lewis Hamilton used as plan as Max Verstappen warns of penalty [INSIGHT]Verstappen rips Red Bull with huge qualifying strop in Singapore [ANALYSIS]Max Verstappen in furious collapse as Red Bull denies that the star has reached the pole [COMMENT]< /p>
His backlash comes after Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also launched a scathing attack on rival teams, saying the remarks were 'out of place'. Horner also claimed the remarks were "libelous" and asked how the teams knew the private details of their finances.
He added: "What is totally unacceptable is for teams that are not party to any form of submission to make statements about our submission, about prospect penalties. It's just out of order. Maybe when these accusations are made, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
"I think it's an underhanded tactic deployed to deflect perhaps a lack of on-track performance this year. And, of course, when references are made to last year, this year, the year next, we will take this very seriously."
The FIA has confirmed that it is currently assessing the teams' financial data and that any breaches will be dealt with "under the formal process set out in the regulations".
Max Verstappen has hit back at Mercedes and Ferrari after claiming Red Bull broke F1's budget cap rules. Verstappen asked rival teams to "keep their mouths shut" on the matter after the allegations surfaced at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The German newspaper had claimed that Red Bull were around £9m ($10m) below last season's budget cap. This would put the team above the five percent required for the FIA to consider the issue a minor violation.
This means Red Bull could face stiff penalties, including the loss of World Championship points if the reports are proven to be true by the FIA investigation. Ferrari called on Red Bull to be severely punished for breaking the rules.
Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed other teams would be at a "massive disadvantage" if the claims were true.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton responds to accusations against Red Bull 'breaking the rules
It is understood that Wolff and Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto had an hour-long meeting before free practice on Friday to discuss the matter. However, Verstappen criticized the team's rivals and stressed that the comments did not affect him.
He said, "I know where it's coming from so for me it's fine." The Dutchman was then pushed to find out if he thought Red Bull wouldn't be penalised.
Verstappen replied: "What I hear from the team, yes, but when other teams start talking about it, they have no information and I find it a bit silly. Shut your mouth."
CAN'T MISS Lewis Hamilton used as plan as Max Verstappen warns of penalty [INSIGHT]Verstappen rips Red Bull with huge qualifying strop in Singapore [ANALYSIS]Max Verstappen in furious collapse as Red Bull denies that the star has reached the pole [COMMENT]< /p>
His backlash comes after Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also launched a scathing attack on rival teams, saying the remarks were 'out of place'. Horner also claimed the remarks were "libelous" and asked how the teams knew the private details of their finances.
He added: "What is totally unacceptable is for teams that are not party to any form of submission to make statements about our submission, about prospect penalties. It's just out of order. Maybe when these accusations are made, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
"I think it's an underhanded tactic deployed to deflect perhaps a lack of on-track performance this year. And, of course, when references are made to last year, this year, the year next, we will take this very seriously."
The FIA has confirmed that it is currently assessing the teams' financial data and that any breaches will be dealt with "under the formal process set out in the regulations".
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