Horner talks peace ahead of Monday FOTA meeting

Red Bull has not ruled out patching up its off-track quarrel with rival formula one teams.

The reigning and back-to-back world champions have pulled out of the F1 teams’ alliance FOTA, essentially over the debate about the gentleman’s cost-limiting ’resource restriction agreement’.

Subsequent meetings have taken place in the absence of Red Bull and fellow new non-FOTA members Ferrari, Ferrari-powered Sauber and Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso, indicating a worrying political split ahead of the crucial negotiations for the next Concorde Agreement.

But team boss Christian Horner has revealed that Red Bull officials will meet with key FOTA members on Monday.

"Nothing’s ever set in stone but for the time being we feel it’s right to step out of FOTA," he is quoted by the Associated Press.

It has been rumoured that Red Bull baulked at moves to further limit the scope of aerodynamic development, whilst rival carmaker-linked teams remain less limited on engines.

"There has to be a willingness to recognise this and then progress can be made," Horner, speaking at Red Bull’s title celebratory event in Milton-Keynes, is quoted by the Guardian.

He said Ferrari and Red Bull’s withdrawal from FOTA "has stimulated discussion and that can lead to something positive. There is a way back for all of us".