Red Bull Unlikely to Appeal

Mateschitz's team were alone in not backing a statement signed by the six other Michelin teams criticising the FIA's verdict and announcing that they would be appealing the World Motor Sport Council's decision.

But although Red Bull's sporting director Christian Horner has indicated that no final decision has been taken about the appeal, Mateschitz has told Gazzetta dello Sport that his mind is already made up.

"We have agreed to stay united for the Indy issue, but we won't go to war against the FIA," he said. "Therefore, since there is no punishment, we won't appeal."

The team have seven days from the date of the hearing to decide whether to appeal the verdict or not - and there are two issues that make the decision incredibly complicated. The first is that, with the punishment not being handed out until September, there is uncertainty about whether the risk of appealing is worthwhile.

The other consideration is that if the other teams' appeal is successful and they are acquitted of all charges, then Red Bull would stand alone as the only outfit guilty of wrongdoing at Indianapolis - leaving them exposed to legal actions from fans.

Mateschitz made it clear, however, that Red Bull's stance was not influenced in any way by the team's future switch to Ferrari engines.

"There is no influence at all," he said when asked about how big a role Ferrari have in the decision. "In the contract with Ferrari it says that on political matters we are 100 percent independent and we won't compromise on this."