The Cost cap and teams breaching it is a hot topic of discussion among the Team Principals and the FIA. The concept was introduced in 2021. And in the very first year, Red Bull was found guilty of exceeding the cost cap. For that, the FIA fined them $7 million and a 10% reduction in Wind Tunnel time. Now, Max Verstappen and Co. have been suspected of exceeding it again in 2022. However, the presence of their “talent coach” might benefit them in this case.

Helmut Marko is one of the most fiery characters in the paddock. Not once has he shied away from expressing his true feelings or concerns. Whether it comes to criticizing underperforming drivers or his rivals, he is at the forefront of conflict. However, it has come to light that the Red Bull taskmaster does not work directly for the team. And the vague Helmut Marko contract might turn things in favor of the Milton-Keynes outfit.

As reported by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, as quoted by Formula Passion, “According to what was reported by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the contract that Marko has with Red Bull and which is valid until 2024 provides for the payment of a daily fee linked to his presence on the track with the qualification of ‘talent coach’ and does not fall within the cost ceiling because, from Red Bull’s point of view, he does not work directly for Red Bull Racing which just at the beginning of 2022 appointed Guillaume Rocquelin as manager of Red Bull Junior program.” [translated via Google]

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With all the cost cap saga that happened last year, the Red Bull advisor would want his team to steer clear of a deja vu in 2023. Marko has also been actively at the forefront when it comes to raising doubts about the unclear Cost Cap.

Helmut Marko Demands Accountability From the FIA for an Amateurish Cost Cap Definition

For 2022, 3 teams have been suspected of breaching the cost cap. Apart from repeat offenders Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin have joined the unfortunate party. But that is not Helmut Marko’s concern. He feels that the rules that are defined are not clear enough. And if there are certain members of staff who work part-time for RB’s F1 team and the rest of the time on another project, how is that to be differentiated?

“There have been people who work partly there, partly there. How do you separate that? This is also a procedure,” Marko told Motorsport-Total. “The whole cost cap is still too much interpretation and too little facts. That’s why there are discussions, and that needs to be sharpened.”

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Will the reigning Constructors’ Champions be penalized for their repeat offense?