The Formula 1 season draws to a close with the last two rounds in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, although there is still no shortage of topics, which however do not only concern the sporting aspect. The the case Budget cap exploded just a month ago, on the eve of the assignment of the two world titles for Red Bull e Max Verstappen, pervaded the season finale, called into question the 2021 title and opened the challenge for the 2023.
Red Bull-budget cap, a love that never blossomed
One of the decisions that has caused the most sensation in the paddock in recent months is linked to the budget cap chapter. As is well known, last month the FIA announced that Red Bull had breached the maximum spending limit of 140 million dollars. At the end of various meetings, we have arrived at a plea bargain between the Milton Keynes team and the FIA. Red Bull will have to pay a $7 million fine and will have 10% less to use in the wind tunnel.
You risk a 2.0
This sanction is linked to the overrun of the 2021 budget cap. While… for 2022? To date there is still no news, as the teams have yet to deliver the year-end balance sheets to the Federation. We clearly hope not to witness a 2.0 case next year, which perhaps involves another team, but it is not obvious that it will happen. The Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko, in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, spoke about the risks and dangers of this regulation.
"It was the first year of the budget cap, and the rules were loose. They reacted late with clarifications (the reference is to the FIA), and for our part we had everything checked by Ernst & Young. You have to rely on something. We thought we had a three million margin of safety, but ended up with only $400.000 left. With that money, Hamilton builds a front wing (he smiles…), Haas produces a completely new single-seater!".
Helmult Marko: “Inflation has had too much influence”
In 2022 according to Helmut Marko there could be as many as 6 teams at risk of breaching, against 2 in 2021, and one of the reasons would lie in inflation.
"I think currently six teams are above the budget cap. Inflation it is something that was not calculable up to this point, especially with regard to energy costs".
"The danger for 2022 is that there may be six teams that do not respect the ceiling. Energy prices have been exponential. There is the possibility that the ceiling will be breached by several teams, many of which have declared it during the meetings of the F1 Commission (through their representative, ed). I don't think we will breach the ceiling in 2022, but these penalties set a precedent for the future. If you get a 10% cut in tunnel and simulator hours for a violation of 0,37% (percentage valid if the tax credit had been applied correctly, the one found by the FIA is 1,6%, ed.) , what will be the penalty for breaching by 5%?” Marko wondered who expects countermoves from Mercedes and Ferrari after what transpired this year.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
