Red Bull, the current dominating team of the Formula One grid, had problems with the budget cap in the past. It looks like the Red Bull Racing team can have hegemony in the game but not with total peace. After a long time since Sebastian Vettel won his fourth consecutive title in 2013, Christian Horner’s team is back on the top of the tree. Thanks to the genius of the Dutchman, Max Verstappen. The title drought was over in 2021, but a new problem creeped out of nowhere for the Austrian team.
To make things fair for the other teams in Formula One circuit, the FIA introduced a new law regarding Cost Caps back in the time. Before this law, teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull always had the upper hand over other teams due to their bigger budgets for technology, machines, and parts. Toto Wolff, the Team Principal of Mercedes, even expressed his positive attitude towards the new rule as he felt it was essential to making it fairer for the rest as well as if it works, the profit margin would be bigger. However, clearly, it brought some major problems for Red Bull.
Changes Red Bull Faced After The Introduction Of The Law
Since the law came to light, tensions for the Red Bull team have been increasing rapidly. It is understandable since it takes time to adjust to smaller budgets if the unit has never done it before. It goes for all the three powerhouses of Formula One Motorsport – Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Especially for the Milton Keynes-based team, it has been causing trouble since 2021.
The year Max Verstappen won his maiden driver’s championship title was when Red Bull had trouble breaching the Cost Cap. And as a result, they had to pay a hefty fine for that. In 2022, Red Bull had to pay $7 million and was reduced a 10% of their wind tunnel as the fine for the previous year. It was indeed a “tough” penalty, as Pierre Wache, the technical director, mentioned to RacingNews365.com.
The Cost Caps Equation Horner And Team Needs To Worry About
The teams must submit their budget for the last season soon, keeping in mind the cost cap is $145.5 million. The FIA must have granted 3.1% considering the inflation costs keep rising amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking of the inflation cost, it is better to remember where the factory of Red Bull is based. The economy in England is an ever-fluctuating one. That’s what is going on in the head of the team principal of Red Bull, Christian Horner.
Speaking to Auto Motor Und Sport, Horner mentioned, “Nobody can ever be 100% sure about these things.” But he believes that they have worked on their mistakes in 2021 for the next season. Christian Horner proceeded to say, “2021 was the first year when these complicated regulations were introduced, and we faced a lot of problems. However, last season we have been careful in checking how we spend the money. Hence, it must not be too problematic for us this time”. Red Bull boss also hints at the reduction of car damages and crashes they faced in 2022. This factor would help them stay within the budget limit.
