Red Bull believe that up to six teams are projected to exceed the 2022 cost cap limit. The Milton Keynes team were recently found guilty of exceeding the F1 spending cap of $145 million for the 2021 season, with the team fined $7 million and handed testing limitations. It was believed that the drama surrounding the cost cap breach would be enough to deter others from a similar offence. However, Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko believes that several F1 teams are already at risk of a financial breach, citing inflation and energy costs as the main reasons. "I think the current situation is that six teams are above it," Marko told Auto Motor Und Sport . "Inflation is something that was not calculable to that extent. Especially with energy costs."
Horner: Red Bull not at risk of 2022 breach
Earlier in the season, Red Bull were one of the teams to take issue with the 2022 cost cap, which had been reduced from $145 million to $140 million. They, along with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari, believed that extra allowances needed to be made for the rise in inflation and energy costs, seen across much of Europe. A budget cap increase of 3.1% was permitted with the support of F1, the FIA, and nine of the 10 teams, however Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner still believes there will be teams in breach given the market fluctuations. "The danger for 2022 is that there could be six teams in breach of the cap. Energy prices have been exponential," Horner told media, including RacingNews365.com . "There is that chance that several teams, many of which have stated it during Formula One commission meetings, will break the cap this year." With that in mind, given the penalty Red Bull received for their overspend of the 2021 budget cap, Horner questions what could be levied if teams go over the cap by more. "We do not believe that we will break the cap in 2022, but these penalties set a precedent for the future. So if you get 10% for 0.3% breach, what is the 5% Breach going to look like?"
Marko unconvinced by new rules
Marko is yet to be convinced that the budget cap rules have changed how teams approach car development. "So far, the budget cap has not changed anything at all. Why should it be different in the future? You simply have to develop better," he added. "Of course, we are affected by the fact that we already have fewer wind tunnel hours because we won the Constructors' Championship. "Now we have to get every test right. But in the end it always depends on the quality of the staff." Even though Red Bull will have reduced wind tunnel and CFD resources as a result of their budget cap overspend penalty, Marko is unconcerned that it will affect the team in the future. "It was the first year of the budget cap, the rules were vague. It was late to react with clarifications. "We had everything checked by Ernst & Young. You have to rely on something and we believed that we had a safety net of three million. In the end, only 400,000 dollars remained. "With that money, Hamilton is building a front wing," he jokes. "Haas is making a whole new car!"
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