A broader and fiery debate has sparked between F1 teams since the Racing Point brake-duct gate unravelled. In a tense team principals’ FIA press conference, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, after he rubbished RP’s photography-based brake duct design, uttered an impactful response to Otmar Szafnauer claiming he had no knowledge about the rules.

While Ferrari and Renault decided to appeal against the FIA’s ruling over the infamous and controversial rear brake ducts, whereas McLaren formally retreated. Last week Brown openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the punishment inflicted to Racing Point and Otmar Szafnauer promptly fired back.

“He’s got no idea what he’s talking about. Zero. And I’m surprised at how little he knows about the rules of F1. It seems to me he knows more about historic racing than he does about F1" remarked Szafnauer last week.

The American added further fuel to the fire today, reiterating that Szafnauer inaccurately claimed that the team had lost 7.5 points and firing more witty shots to Lawrence Stroll's team.

“In my time here leading McLaren I’ve never been fined a dollar let alone $400,000. I’ve never been docked points. Otmar thought it was seven-and-a-half points until Sky television pointed out it was 15 points” said Brown.

“And as far as historic racing, people that know me know I’d enjoy historic racing and I’d invite Otmar to come join me because he’s got a historic car that he’s currently racing”

The reference was rather clear, as Brown was hinting at Racing Point running a Mercedes W10 this year.

It is obvious that the ''Cold war" is far from over and is currently being corroborated by a hearty and compelling war of words in parallel. The legal dispute will move further at the International Court of Appeal.