By Gordon Miller
July 2 2005

Red Bull Racing may yet appeal against the World Motor Sport Council decision that found the teams guilty on two counts relating to the US GP, despite not attaching its name to the statements issued by the other six Michelin teams during the week's Paris hearing.

The team chose to conduct its own ‘non aggressive' defence, separate to that of the other six Michelin runners, all of whom worked as a group with British lawyer David Pannick. In the immediate aftermath of the hearing, those six teams also submitted a joint appeal, but the Red Bull name was notable by its absence from any document.

With Sauber now aligned to BMW, Red Bull is the only Michelin team that is not part of the manufacturer group. The team is already signed up with Ferrari for next year, and is also very likely to be a Bridgestone customer, so, with the delicate political circumstances that surround both moves, clearly preferred not to be too closely aligned to the remainder of the Michelin group, especially as the USGP issue is part of a much bigger picture.

However, the problem the team now faces is that, if it does not appeal, and the other six teams are successful, it could find itself out on a limb in any legal actions taken against the teams by disgruntled fans. It will be the only team with an FIA judgement against it.

"Basically, we have a seven-day period from the hearing itself with the World Council, where we will consider our options, which we are currently evaluating," sporting director Christian Horner said, "We haven't said we won't appeal but, obviously, we are considering all the options that are available to us."