Valtteri Bottas leads second F1 practice session as Mercedes’ right to review has been denied by FIA

R.ed Bull was puzzled by the huge increase in straight speed that Hamilton enjoyed in the last two races in Mexico and Brazil. That was the pace of the seven-time world champion in Interlagos, he was able to race through the field and won the race last Sunday after starting tenth.

And while Red Bull is ready to accept that the speed can be explained at least in part by the new engine that Mercedes put in its Brazil car, which comes with a starting place penalty of five places, they don’t believe this for the whole 27 km / h difference “.

“The straight-line speeds that we saw in Mexico and Brazil, I mean, I think everyone could see Brazil, was not a normal situation,” said Horner, as Wolff sat listlessly next to him, his face covered by his face mask.

“And yes, a new engine at Mercedes is known to result in an increase in performance. But if you have 17 miles [per hour] Difference, and you see marks on the rear end plates that have been marked by wings that have flexed … It is very clear to us what was going on. “

It can’t be that clear, otherwise Red Bull would have protested. And they would not have got Verstappen to pay a £ 42,000 fine for brazenly approaching the Mercedes car in Brazil and touching the rear wing, drawing everyone’s attention to it. But they think they know what Mercedes is doing.

In fact, they argue that it must bend illegally under heavy loads as that is the only thing that can explain its increased speed and the “dots” on its endplates that they believe are caused by rubbing the wing.

Wolff sounded undeterred, even mocked Horner. “I think we have been checked 14 times on this very special wing, the FIA ​​has all the drawings for it,” he said. “There is no such thing as Red Bull expects. So we’re happy to send it, cut it to size. We can send one to Milton Keynes for you. “

Horner ignored this offer and spoke directly to Wolff: “How do you explain the notches on the rear wing end plate?”