Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur calls out FIA for giving Red Bull a “very light” cost cap breach penalty

Fred Vasseur expressed the need for harsher measures on such a major violation of the rules.

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur calls out FIA for giving Red Bull a “very light” cost cap breach penalty

Fred Vasseur, Christian Horner

Red Bull Racing had become the talking point in the paddock last season, not because of the team’s stellar performance in 2022, but due to the Austrian team beaching the F1 cost cap the previous year. Subsequently, a multi-million dollar fine was imposed on Red Bull with a reduction in the wind tunnel and CFD times as well. However, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur advocated for harsher measures on Milton Keynes.

The 54-year-old went as far as stating that he didn’t believe it to be a penalty at all. Fred Vasseur said, “It’s not a penalty.” The Frenchman acknowledged that Red Bull has consistently done great work to stay on top of the pecking order since the new regulations were introduced in 2022. Yet, Vasseur believed the Austrian team needed to face stricter action. He explained, “Red Bull have done a good job but I am still convinced that the penalty was very light.”

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Moreover, Fred Vasseur reasoned that in today’s day and age, F1 teams develop at a rapid pace. As such, the penalty on Red Bull must’ve been harsher in mind the current scenario. The Ferrari boss also exposed the flaw in the F1 cost cap, wherein a team can save money from other departments for car development. Vasseur explained, “it should be severe given the rate of development we are doing this season and when you can spend what you are saving somewhere else.”

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The Ferrari Team Principal highlighted the fact this penalty does little harm to Christian Horner‘s team as Red Bull managed to stay clear of the competition after being caught breaching the F1 cost cap. Fred Vasseur continued, “If you consider that you have an advantage at the beginning of the season. Because you spent more the year before, that’s a compensation.”

The 54-year-old admitted that the Austrian team had done an incredible job in the F1 development race as Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez remain unchallenged. Fred said, “I don’t want to say they didn’t do a good job. Because they did a very good job on the car.” Although, the Frenchman dismissed this to be the reason for Ferrari to fall behind Red Bull in the standings. Fred Vasseur concluded, “I am not trying to find any excuses. But if you ask me if the penalty is too light, I say ‘yes’.”

Thus, Fred Vasseur is adamant that the FIA was not harsh enough on Red Bull over the cost cap infringement. Red Bull Racing has so far managed to avoid a massive impact of the imposed penalties. The Milton Keynes team gains a huge lead in the constructors’ championship. As such, there is a lot of work to do for Vasseur and Ferrari to catch up to their arch-rival in Formula 1.

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