The close alliance between the Red Bull squad and its sister RB operation has come under the spotlight recently, amid calls from McLaren boss Zak Brown for F1 to re-evaluate the regulations regarding co-operation between competitors.
Brown believes that in the budget cap era, the time has come for F1 to ensure that all squads are independent, as he thinks this will avoid potentially unfair political, sporting or competitive advantages.
While Brown is clear that the issue relates entirely to the regulations that are in place right now, rather than anything that Red Bull and RB are doing, his public stance on the matter has not gone down well with Horner.
Speaking on the penultimate day of F1 testing about the team collaboration topic, Horner said: “I don't understand the fuss about it. I don't understand the noise that's being created about it.
"And I think Red Bull should actually be applauded for the support and the commitment and the jobs that they've provided through the good times, and particularly the bad times. So for me, it really is a non-issue.”
Horner emphasised that the effort and commitment that Red Bull had made to F1 over the years it has been involved, including through the financial crisis in 2008, was not something that should be overlooked.
Reflecting on how Red Bull helped save the former Minardi team and invest it in over the years, Horner said: “Red Bull remained resolute, and they continued to support both teams through that difficult period.
Source: Autosport