It has only been 2 years since the cost cap imposed by the FIA has been in action. And a few teams have already breached it in these 2 years. The FIA found Red Bull guilty of breaching the cost cap for the 2022 season. And the FIA only fined them $7 million and a 10% reduction in wind tunnel time. Now, Max Verstappen & Co. has been rumored to breach the cost cap for this season as well. This has not got down well with George Russell who has demanded strict action from the FIA.

This year, 2 teams have been found to breach the $135M cost cap. One is Aston Martin, and the other is Red Bull. When Lewis Hamilton was presented with this information, he said that the FIA needs to be stricter and not just give a “slap on the wrist.” And his Mercedes teammate, Russell has followed in his footsteps.

Russell said, as quoted by Motorsport.nextgen-auto, “If someone has broken a regulation, you want the punishment to be equal to the crime. There were breaches last year, and it is clear that the punishment did not correspond to the crime. We don’t want that to happen again.”

He further added, saying, “And if it’s a repeat offender, the sentence should be even harsher than it is, especially if it happens two years in a row. I trust the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem is a great force, and they will not let anyone get away with something that should not have happened under their watch.”

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Russell has played a somewhat smart move by appreciating the FIA president during his rant. And this is not the only instance of Russell going after Verstappen.

George Russell and Fernando Alonso “Gang Up” To Defeat Max Verstappen

F1 and Sky Sports created a special ‘Kids broadcast’ for the Hungarian GP. The broadcast had special graphics for children and they got a chance to interact with their favorite drivers. And one kid asked Russell and Fernando Alonso if they were “jealous” of Max Verstappen. Russell gave a cheeky response that Alonso agreed with.

“Should we? Should we gang up on him somehow?, said Russell, as quoted by Express. Alonso interrupted to say, “We are jealous.” Russell continued with Alonso’s take and said, “For sure we’re jealous, but we all get our opportunity to stand on that podium. He’s given the opportunity a few more times than we are, but things have a way of working themselves out. So I’m sure, hopefully, the tables will turn in the near future.”

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It is Verstappen’s period of dominating the grid. It is yet to be seen if Red Bull has actually breached the cost cap. If they have, that could prove to be detrimental to the Dutchman’s results. And 2n placed Mercedes could benefit from it.