Chris Horner complained about the Red Bull penalty

The FIA ​​announced on Friday the penalty imposed on Red Bull for exceeding the cost limits in 2021. Red Bull exceeded the budget ceiling by 1,864,000 pounds (2.16 million dollars), which was established by regulation at a maximum of 145 million dollars in 2021. That is , Red Bull exceeds the budget ceiling by 1.86%, in which it is considered a “minor” violation because it does not exceed 5% of the total allowed. Milton Keynes decided to accept the sanctioning agreement proposed by the FIA, knowing that to do so they would have to admit their mistake, but if they didn’t, they would be exposed to penalties that could be greater. For this reason, they accepted the sanction of 7 million dollars and the reduction of 10% of their wind tunnel for the next year, which means 7% less real aerodynamic test for 2023. It is reported that the said penalty is maybe up to 25% of that test time, but ultimately it’s less. However, Christian Horner was furious at how much he claimed this penalty could cost his team in developing the 2023 car.

“Obviously the most draconian part is the sporting penalty, which is a 10% reduction in our ability to use our wind tunnel and aero tools. I’ve heard people report today that that’s a negligible amount. Let me tell you now that it’s a huge amount. That represents between 0.25 and a half seconds off the lap time. It has a direct impact on the car next year and it will remain for 12 months.”

The penalty is 10% of the time Red Bull already has. As champion in 2022, he has a maximum allowed 70% of the total time for using the wind tunnel and CFD simulations. That 10% is applied to the 70 available to Red Bull for its 2022 champion position, so it becomes a real reduction of 7%: Red Bull goes from having 70% of the time for wind tunnel use, in a final. 63%

For Honer, the loss is very important, considering that the second classified (Ferrari) will have 75% and the third (Mercedes), 80%. All this, as part of the aerodynamic handicap introduced from 2021 where, by regulation, more wind tunnel time and simulations are given to the team with the worst finish in the championship, staggered depending on the position to promote greater equality between small and large sets.

“By winning the constructors’ championship, we have clearly become victims of our own success. In addition to that 10% (of the first time difference for aerodynamic tests between first and second in the World Championship), with an additional 5% disadvantage compared to second… just for clarity: we will have 15% less than the time in the wind tunnel compared to the second best team in the constructors’ championship and 20% less than the third. A draconian amount. So that 10% put in reality, as I say, will have an impact on our ability to perform on the track next year.

He contends that they did not benefit from the infringement

Horner already said in Austin that slightly exceeding the budget limit has no implications for the 2021 car or the creation of a winning car in 2022. And this time, he reaffirmed: “I stand by the statement that there is no benefit.”

But with Mercedes and Ferrari they don’t think the same. If they spend more on other things, he can assume they won’t stop spending that money on their car. This may have direct implications for your vehicle. Without going further, Hamilton already said in Singapore that he was surprised that in 2021 Red Bull brought up to 4 evolutions to the track than a Mercedes that had to stop improving its car in the middle of the year, at Silverstone. And in addition, he clarified that it would have been enough for him to have 300,000 dollars to spend on a spoiler or a new floor and that with it the end of the World Cup changed because he would have a better one. car That World Cup is defined by the last lap between Verstappen and Hamilton, so any improvement in Lewis’ car could swing the title in his favour.

However, Horner continues to assert that his team’s breach was due to a simple matter of interpretation of regulations and accounting applications, as they spent more for catering issues for their best staff. and for the payment of some sick leave. There is no direct relation to the car “Now, if we went because we paid sick leave, if we went because we paid people who we thought were not at the top in terms of costs within the catering… not a cent spent on vehicle performance. And I’m amazed that no other teams found themselves in this position, but good on them that eight of the teams fully met the criteria.”

“I think, as I say, there are lessons to be learned. Did we see a performance on the track? Nope. Are there things we could have done better from an accounting perspective? Of course, there are lessons learned. But not only on our side, I think on all sides,” he concluded.

This situation leaves much to be pondered

Christian Horner is logically angry. It should be part of your role. If he is happy with the FIA ​​sanction, then everything will lose its meaning. But in reality, many wonder if such a penalty for violating such an important regulation could hurt Red Bull. 7 million will not be a problem for them. And many believe that the smaller-than-expected wind tunnel reduction may not be as bad for Red Bull as Horner claims. They already have the champion car for 2023 with their 2022 base and the longer test of their rivals is no guarantee that they will find the key to catch up.

And all this leaves great doubt. The main one: Will this penalty be significant enough to prevent other teams from jumping the budget ceiling in the coming years? That is the main question.