The Red Bull cost cap saga seems to be right up there with controversies such as the infamous ‘Crashgate’ and ‘Spygate’. The entire debacle has been exemplified by the secrecy introduced by FIA’s red-tapism as well as the consequences it could have on the past, present, and future of Formula 1.
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In all the uncertainties, one thing is for sure; Red Bull did breach the 2021 cost cap regulations. However, the ambiguity as to Red Bull’s actual stance on the matter and what the FIA will dish out as a penalty on the team is what keeps adding fuel to the fire week after week. As it turns out, there is yet another twist in the tale.
According to AMuS, “The racing team has known for a week what punishment it faces. Allegedly a deduction of 25 percent of the wind tunnel time for the coming season plus a fine. A retroactive punishment with a point deduction for 2021 should be off the table.” [translated using Google]
However, it seems that “Red Bull is said to have disagreed with the cost cap administrator’s proposal.”.
But what seems to be the problem from Red Bull’s end? “Apparently, Horner can’t decide for himself how he wants to either. The scope of the case is so great that the Mateschitz family must be consulted in any case. This is not just about the Formula 1 team, but the image of a brand. This has reportedly already led to some delays.”
Even though Red Bull’s gaffe has been caught by the FIA, a certain double-World Champion believes that many teams in the past have succeeded by employing means similar to the Milton-Keynes-based outfit. It’s just a matter of not being caught.
Fernando Alonso talks about Red Bull while lamenting the state of F1
Formula 1 is the peak of innovativeness. However, there is a thin line between being creative and crossing the marked red line. Fernando Alonso has now opened up about how he thinks that, in Formula 1, the only way to win is by exploiting the gray areas of the regulations.
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While speaking about Red Bull’s cost cap breach, he said, “This has always been part of F1. This is a new thing we implemented recently, the cost cap, but there were always things aerodynamically that you could explore, some grey areas.”
He continued, “And always people who won the championships, they won exploiting that grey area. And then the other teams copy and they eventually get to that level or they ban that thing that was allowed for one or two races.”
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Do you think the FIA’s proposed penalties on Red Bull are fair?