Formula 1

Red Bull deny leading questions over legality of Ferrari engine

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Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is denying his team is questioning the legality of Ferrari's current engine advantage.

Earlier this week, InsideRacing reported that Mercedes had no legal concerns about the Italian unit, claiming they understood where their power advantage came from.

However, a day later, Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed this to Auto Motor und Sport when asked about Ferrari's engine.

“We sent a number of questions to the FIA, but have not received any answers," he said, with those questions looking for clarification on possible tricks being used.

The German publication then quoted a rival team member as adding: “They (Ferrari) must have come up with something very clever [to have such an advantage].

“If it turns out to be legal, all we could do is take off our hats.”

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Victories for Charles Leclerc at Spa and Monza were built on the foundation of superior top speed, with Mercedes barely gaining two-tenths even with DRS and a slipstream at the latter.

Asked just how much Ferrari hold over their own supplier Honda, Red Bull's Marko replied: “We are talking about 40kW (54 horsepower),” he told Auto Bild.

“However, it’s only on one lap. Especially in qualifying, the difference in speed at Spa and Monza was clearly noticeable.”

Previously, suspicions have been raised in two areas of their power unit, with a split-battery system introduced last year raising questions if the team was exceeding the permitted amount of electrical power.

Also, and this could relate to the single lap advantage, Ferrari and Mercedes were accused of burning excessive oil with the fuel for extra performance.

Asked where these latest questions are coming from though, Marko denied it was Red Bull or Honda.

“It’s not mainly us who is pointing the finger at Ferrari. That’s Renault and Mercedes,” he said.

In response, FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer rejected any suggestions of foul play.

“So far, everything is legal," he said.

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