Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has said there was "zero benefit" to Red Bull going over the $145 million cost cap limit and that the penalty levied by the FIA will cost them "up to half a second per lap". The team was fined $7 million and must forfeit 10% of its aerodynamic development allowance, after agreeing a settlement with the FIA for breaching the cost cap . Speaking in a press conference, Horner told media, including RacingNews365.com , the severity of the punishment. He said: "I've heard people reporting today it [penalty] is an insignificant amount. Let me tell you now that [it] is an enormous amount that represents anywhere between a quarter and half second's worth of lap time." In the wake of the announcement that Red Bull went over the cost cap limit, there were various talks between the FIA and the team, with a settlement only being reached as early as 26 October this week. "We accept the penalty, albeit reluctantly. I think there is a lesson for everyone here and we should continue to work together because the budget cap is an important part of Formula 1," he added. "But that has to be done on a consistent way that is easy to implement. "With such a new concept of incredibly complex regulations around different entities, different subsidiary companies, companies that belong to OEMs, companies that are independent companies, which are a subsidiary of an energy drinks manufacturer. "All our structures, our cost base, our apportionment, is all different between all of those entities. So that is why we've chosen to accept it [penalty]. "There was zero benefit because the amount we went over we believe there are mitigating factors. We went over because of sick pay, because of catering. "Not one penny was spent on the car. I'm astounded there were no other teams who found themselves in this [same] position."
Horner calls total aero time loss 'draconian'
The team will be required to forfeit 10% of their wind tunnel and CFD simulation allowances over the next 12 months, something Horner says will have an impact on them in the future. "That is a handicap, yes," he told media. "We cannot do as many wind tunnel runs, we cannot run as many simulations [and] that will have a material effect on our performance." "By winning the Constructors' Championships, obviously we've become victims of our own success by in addition to that 10%, having a 5% incremental disadvantage, or handicap, compared to the second and third place. "So just for clarity, we will have 15% less wind tunnel time then the second place team in the Constructors' Championship, and 20% less than the third place again, a draconian amount. "That 10% put into reality will have impacts on our ability to perform on track next year."
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