Red Bull’s chief engineer explains ‘double-edged sword’ effect of the cost cap

The cost cap has been introduced in Formula 1 not only for sustainability but also to ensure that the grid is ‘closer’ together. If left unrestricted, big teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, or Red Bull can steamroll everyone else. Teams like Haas, or Williams currently, just cannot compete financially with those behemoths. So, a ceiling has been set to give every team a fairer chance, irrespective of their financial situation.

In 2022, the grid wasn’t exactly close. Red Bull were the dominant team, but no other team could even touch the top three. Only one team outside of the ‘big three’ scored a podium finish – McLaren, with Lando Norris. But the general consensus of many figures in the sport is that the cost cap, combined with the aerodynamic testing rules will mean a closer grid in the future. It will take at least a few years to have any real effect.

Red Bull had a fantastic 2022, but are currently dealing with the repercussions of their violation of the cost cap [in 2021]. Apart from the $7 million fine, they will also receive 10% less wind tunnel time than they would have normally. Speaking to Autosport about the pressures of the cost cap and how the team dealt with them [in 2022], RB’s chief engineer Paul Monaghan said: “It’s changed the discipline. Before we could look at aspects that might have been bigger changes and cost us more money, and we were in an enormously privileged position to be able to consider doing it.“

According to Monaghan, the equation has changed now: “That’s changed tack a little bit. So our engineering discipline has changed to adapt to those rules. What we’ve taken on in previous years, we just can’t take on now.” He also felt that cost-cap was a ‘double-edged sword’ as it “denies us the ability to necessarily change our position within the performance ranking.” But, he added: “The same is true of the others. It’s a discipline we’ve all got to enjoy, the same for everyone, let’s get on with it, and see how we get on.”

Read More: Helmut Marko and Red Bull ‘cautiously optimistic’ for 2023 despite cost cap penalty

Christian Horner: ‘Unrealistic’ to expect Red Bull to continue dominating in 2023

While the top three as a whole were untouchable, Red Bull reigned supreme over all of the teams on the grid in 2022. Despite a tough start with a double retirement, they eventually won both championships with multiple races to spare. They scored 205 points more than their closest competition, Ferrari, over the course of the season. That’s more than the fourth-place team, Alpine, scored as a whole.

But Red Bull team principal Christian Horner feels it’s unrealistic to expect that Red Bull will continue to dominate. According to him, other teams are ‘simply too good’. Speaking to RacingNews365.com, the Briton said: “I’d love to continue to dominate! But it’s somewhat unrealistic in this business, because the other teams are simply too good. They will have learnt a lot of lessons from this year, and I’m sure that cars will converge significantly in ’23.”

The cost cap will play a large part in teams like Haas and Williams eventually becoming more competitive relative to the top teams. Williams’ former CEO, Jost Capito, even thought that the team might not exist in the present day – if not for the cost cap. As for Red Bull, in 2023, their rivals, Ferrari and Mercedes will look to catch up to them. They have been given a small boost in that regard because of RB’s penalty for breaching the cost cap. It’s building up to be an exciting season.

In case you missed it:

• “I can see five teams competing for the championship…” Zak Brown on when he feels the cost cap will truly take effect
• New Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur asks for stricter punishments for future F1 cost cap breaches

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