Red Bull admits that cost cap pressure hampers the team’s upgrade efforts
Red Bull was penalized with $7 million fine and reduced wind tunnel testing for breaching the cost cap in 2021.
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Red Bull vs Aston Martin (Credits: autocar.co.uk)
Red Bull, without question, has been the commanding team in Formula One after the regulations were introduced last year. The Milton-Keynes outfit brought that dominant form into the 2023 season, too, winning every race so far. With Red Bull so ahead of everyone in terms of performance, many believed the team to develop their 2024 car already.
However, according to Pierre Wache, Red Bull is not completely redirecting their attention to the 2024 season. And they are not discontinuing the development of this year’s car. Wache explains that the technical regulations for 2024 are identical to the current season. As a result, numerous components currently being developed for this year will also be utilized in the following year.
“We are not entirely shifting our focus to 2024 yet, and we are not halting the development of this year’s car,” Wache told Racingnews360. “Technical regulations for 2024 remain the same as the current season, which means that many components currently under development for this year will also be utilized next year,” he further continued.
Cost cap and wind tunnel woes heighten Red Bull’s challenges as competitors gain ground
Red Bull faced consequences for exceeding the $145 million budget limit in 2021, deemed a “minor” breach by the FIA during Max Verstappen‘s 2022 season. Team Principal Christian Horner maintained that overspending didn’t affect performance. Penalties included a $7 million fine and a 10% reduction in 2023 aero testing. Red Bull’s “misinterpretation” of thirteen areas, including staff catering, was discovered.
Pierre Wache claims the penalties for breaching the cost cap will impact RB19’s development. He emphasized the team’s substantial disadvantage of losing out on wind tunnel time. He acknowledged that their limited number of upgrades resulted in fewer opportunities to develop the car than their competitors.
“Also, don’t forget that we have a big disadvantage in the wind tunnel,” said Pierre. “We didn’t bring very many upgrades, indeed. “We have much less opportunity to develop the car than the competitors,” he stated.
Aston Martin emerged as Red Bull‘s closest rival, achieving six podium finishes in the first ten races. Mercedes fought back with a substantial upgrade, securing second place in the Constructors’ standings. Ferrari’s pole position in Azerbaijan and subsequent podium highlighted their contender status. Alpine briefly joined the battle with Ocon’s Monaco podium. While McLaren’s recent upgrade saw Norris and Piastri challenging Verstappen for pole at the British Grand Prix.
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Elaine D'Cruz
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