Red Bull raises alarming concerns over cost cap penalty, claims it will hamper the development of 2024 challenger

Red Bull have almost 150 hours less than their competitors when it comes to wind tunnel testing.

Red Bull raises alarming concerns over cost cap penalty, claims it will hamper the development of 2024 challenger

Red Bull's RB19 (Credits: SI)

Red Bull and Max Verstappen emerged victorious in the 2022 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, warranting a reduced allocation for aerodynamic development time per the regulations. This measure aims to minimize the gaps between teams. However, Red Bull also faced consequences for breaching the F1 cost cap in 2021, resulting in a penalty. Consequently, they must manage with a 10% reduction in the wind tunnel and aero-development time for 12 months.

Despite the penalty, Red Bull has performed exceptionally in the 2023 season by winning all races thus far. Their dominance shows no signs of diminishing. Nevertheless, Red Bull’s Technical Director, Pierre Wache, maintains that the team will experience the consequences of the penalty towards the end of the season, particularly when it comes to developing their new car for the 2024 season.

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In an interview with Sky Sports, he said, “Every time when you have a restriction it affects you. We have a restriction because we were winning the championship last year and we are still leading. Is the 10 per cent (further) reduction affecting us in the number of runs we are doing? We do less [sic] tests, less development but we have to be even more efficient in the way we work.”

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“For sure it will affect the performance of the end of the year car and next year,” Wache added. He also admitted that the penalty is accompanied by a silver lining, being that facing challenges like the penalty and reduced development time can lead to positive effects on Red Bull, such as improved processes and increased team motivation.

Related: Eddie Jordan reveals the secret ingredient that propelled Red Bull to success in F1

Christian Horner has shed light on how the team is coping with the penalty

Christian Horner (Credits: The Independent)
Christian Horner (Credits: The Independent)

Despite Red Bull’s violation of the cost cap during the 2021 season, resulting in a $7 million fine and a 10% reduction in wind tunnel time for the 2023 season, their performance has remained dominant. They have won every race so far in the season, and their preparations for the upcoming year are underway. The imposed penalty has had minimal impact on their overall performance and development. Christian Horner has opened up on the proceedings in the Red Bull garage.

When speaking to the media after the Canadian GP, Horner emphasized that it was about finding balance, shifting focus toward the 2024 car while upgrading the current RB19. He said that the knowledge gained in 2023 will be carried forward into 2024 and applied accordingly to maintain Red Bull’s dominance.

He said, “It’s about finding that balance. Obviously, because we have a lot less wind tunnel time we have to start thinking a lot about next year. We’re spinning a couple of plates at the moment but, with the regulations being stable, whatever we learn this year we carry into next year as well.”

Red Bull, seemingly unaffected by the penalty, is cruising, but it remains to be seen how it may or may not impact them throughout the season compared to their rivals who are working hard to catch the team from Milton-Keynes.

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