Red Bull is the champion of 2022. Yes, for us it’s just a statement, but for team Red Bull, it’s years of hard work and determination. All thanks to their team boss, Christian Horner, who molded his team around aggression and passion. Recently, in an interview after Mexican Grand Prix, Horner talked about the team’s morale after getting penalised for the breaching of cost cap.

Horner joined Red Bull as the team principal, in 2005. Since then, the Milton Keynes side has won 5 WCC and clinched the driver’s title on 6 occasions. Amidst all the happy moments, Red Bull was found guilty for breaching the budget cap and, as a result, was penalised for $7 million dollar and a 10 percent reduction in wind tunnel time over the next 12 months. The loss in wind tunnel time can cost 0.25sec to 0.50 sec in a lap.

Instead of losing their morale, team Red Bull is full of confidence and has given a subtle warning to Lewis Hamilton and Co. who might think the Austrian side would be down and out after this penalty.

Christian Horner said, “The effect it has on our drivers has nothing to do with our drivers. The drivers are obviously doing their job, they are doing a phenomenal job, what is been a record breaking year for us , we’ve won more races than any other season in our history. What we’ve lost in wind tunnel time we’ve gained in motivation, so we’ll come out fighting hard next year.”

READ MORE: Amid Heated Cost Cap Criticism, Team Principal Christian Horner Finds an Unlikely Ally: “Things Need To Be Tidied Up”

The rivals might think that Red Bull was let go with a slap on the wrist by the “minor” penalty, but Horner thinks it’s a ‘draconian’ penalty for the Austrian side.

Christian Horner Feels the Wind tunnel Penalty is Draconian

Some of the rivals teams feel the Red Bull has faced a minor deduction but horner believes its seriousness was forced by the opposition teams. According to FIA rules, Red bull would have to get 70% of the wind tunnel time as they were the constructor champions of 2022. However, now they will get just 60% of the wind tunnel time. Horner feels the penalty is enormous.

He said, “It gives an advantage to our competitors, which is why they were pushing so hard for a draconian penalty,” said Horner. We’re going to have to work incredibly hard in the time that we have available. There were other sporting penalties that were available to the FIA. But this one was obviously lobbied hard for by our competitors because they felt it hit us the hardest.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Christian Horner Unhappy with 2022 Budget Cap, Calls for Urgent Attention

It’ll be interesting to see how the Red Bulls can match up with other rival teams who were waiting for Austrian outfits to fall down. Do you think Wind Tunnel time can end the great run of Milton Keynes side?