From the previous to the current season, we have all witnessed the world of F1 change. Apart from the apparent changes in the driver lineup, the majority of the changes have been behind the scenes. The 2022 regulations promising more competition across the grid might not have done that yet, but have changed the dynamic of the grid.
However, the most challenging aspect of the changes was introduced in 2021. Planned to be introduced in 2020, the budget cap became apparent in 2021 because of covid-19. And since 2021, the cap has got differing reactions from team bosses across the grid. Red Bull boss Christian Horner is a vocal critique of the budget cap but is yet to make any headway.
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Mercedes and Ferrari are among the other teams affected by the budget cap. Talking on the Dirty Side of the Track podcast, former world champions Jacques Villeneuve criticized the teams on the grid. He said, “It’s as if they’ve decided from the start that they would go past it anyway and then they argue.”
He added, “And also because there is no clear penalty. It could be a financial penalty, then who cares? It could be a few points, hmm okay. But it could also be exclusion from the championship, but which one will it be? Who knows?”
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The vagueness of the severity of the penalty for the budget cap violation has everyone on the grid concerned. And as pointed out by the Canadian, this lack of clarity is making the budget cap ambiguous. However, the Williams world champion had a brilliant idea about the penalty that can be levied on the teams.
Jacques Villeneuve suggests a penalty model for the F1 budget cap violation
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The Canadian, while speaking on the podcast on the budget cap issue, suggested a penalty model. And he might have just helped FIA decide on the penalty with his brilliant idea.
He suggested, “I think the best penalty would be if you overspend by 1 million, you have to give 1 million to every other team in the grid and they’re allowed to spend that million even if it goes beyond their cap.”
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We’re not sure how popular this suggestion will be among the big teams facing the penalty. However, the suggestion is very productive and it will definitely help the smaller teams close the gap to the front runners on the grid.