Jenson Button has argued that the reason Red Bull are yet to protest against Mercedes' rear wing is because they "don't know" precisely what their rivals are doing in this area. Amid their close fight for both world titles, the war of words between the two teams has ramped up again at this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix. The latest controversy surrounds alleged "score marks" on the W12's rear wing , as Red Bull continue to question how Mercedes are generating their immense straight-line performance. Red Bull have threatened to protest over the design , though Mercedes insist that their car is legal and has gone through many FIA checks to prove so.
Mercedes have been 'very clever'
Button, speaking as part of his punditry role for Sky Sports , feels that Mercedes have simply outfoxed Red Bull with a "very clever" design. "I don't think they know what Mercedes are doing," said the 2009 World Champion, on the subject of Red Bull's protest threat, and why they haven't proceeded with such a move so far. "I think it's very clever what Mercedes are doing because they have picked up a lot of straight-line speed, and you don't get that by horsepower, unless it's 50 horsepower. "I think Mercedes have got one over on Red Bull. Red Bull are normally very good at understanding flexi parts of the car, especially at the front of the floor. I remember [that] from when I was racing against the Red Bulls back in the day."
"Put up or shut up"
As the intense bickering continues, Damon Hill added that the time is approaching for Red Bull to turn their words into action. "I think you can't keep making accusations without finally sort of putting up or shutting up," the 1996 World Champion commented. "If they lose here, I think they're going to have to put their money where their mouth is and say to the FIA, 'We're going to protest'."
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