After the penalties in the spending dispute, Red Bull fears a disadvantage compared to the Formula 1 competition in the title fight for the next two years. In this context, the seven million US dollar penalty is far less serious than the twelve-month restrictions on aerodynamic testing.
This sanction alone means that the team has ten percent less time to work in the wind tunnel because of the additional expenses in the past season. As a world champion in the constructors’ championship, there is a further five percent less in the first half of the year.
“It’s a blow, a handicap,” emphasized team boss Christian Horner in a specially convened solo press conference in the paddock of the Grand Prix of Mexico. Extrapolated to one lap, that could amount to a quarter to half a second.
“It gives our rivals an advantage, that’s why they called for a draconian penalty,” said Horner, adding, “I’m sure if someone had burned our wind tunnel it wouldn’t have been enough.” Especially Red Bull with star designer Adrian Newey is practically always among the best in the aero area.
“We will fight hard next year”
In 2021, in the first year of the spending limit, the team exceeded the permitted USD 148.6 million by around USD 2.15 million, according to the International Automobile Federation Fia. This was also due to a procedural error, without which Red Bull would have been 0.37 percent above the allowed budget, the equivalent of around $501,850, according to the calculations.
They only “reluctantly” accepted the offer of breach of contract, said Horner, after inaccurately adjusted costs such as catering are said to have caused the spending limit to be exceeded. In any case, from Horner’s point of view, the money would not have brought any development advantage in the fight with Mercedes and Ferrari.
Horner then concluded his press conference with a clear announcement: “What we lose in terms of time in the wind tunnel, we have gained in motivation. We will fight hard next year.” After Max Verstappen once again won the title in the drivers’ championship, Red Bull won again in the constructors’ category for the first time in eight Mercedes years.