Red Bull boss Christian Horner was surprised by the FIA’s move to ban the “iconic” pit wall celebration at the end of races.
Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, race director Niels Wittich informed teams he would enforce a rule in place since 2006 that forbids personnel from climbing the catch fencing as drivers cross the finish line.
Red Bull mechanics in particular are well-known for technically breaking that rule when either Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez take the chequered flag.
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Therefore, Horner was the first to be asked about the FIA’s decision at Albert Park.
“I was surprised it was an issue, to be honest with you,” he said, “but I think anything that relates to safety, obviously, one has to take very seriously.
“But it’s a fairly iconic moment when you see a Grand Prix car finishing a Grand Prix and its team celebrating on a fence, and so long as it’s done in a manner that is safe… I personally have never seen an issue with it.
“I’ve thought it’s been a part of Grand Prix racing and we’ve achieved that 94 times as Red Bull Racing, and not once have we ever had an injury or looked like there being an issue, but you know if they’re the rules, they’re the rules.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown echoed those thoughts, adding: “I’m not exactly sure what sparked the necessity to change it. I’m not aware of an incident.
“That being said, safety is critically important to all of us and if they feel it’s potentially not safe and those are the rules, then we’ll stick to them.”
