Red Bull’s budget cap saga has been voted the biggest controversy of the 2022 F1 season by Express Sport readers. In an exclusive poll, a massive 57.5 per cent of over 14,000 respondents selected Red Bull’s breach, making it the clear winner.
The team were slapped with a financial and sporting penalty after they were found guilty of overspending by £1.8million ($2.2m) in 2021. However, the FIA admitted the team would have only spent £432,000 ($0.5m) over the threshold if their tax reports had been submitted correctly.
The team were forced to pay a staggering £6.4million ($7m) fine as a penalty and were hit with a 10 per cent reduction in wind tunnel and CFD testing for next season in a major blow. Christian Horner branded the punishment a “draconian” measure and even suggested it could affect Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez by around half a second per lap in 2023.
Mercedes’ porpoising struggles were the second biggest controversy after picking up a massive 17.1 per cent of votes. The Silver Arrows campaigned hard for rules changes mid-season after Lewis Hamilton suffered severe back pains at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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His commanding first career victory in Brazil was selected by 48.9 per cent of voters as the standout Grand Prix of 2022. The event was also noted for a collision between Verstappen and Hamilton and a stunning sprint race which saw Russell secure pole for Sunday’s race.
The action-packed British Grand Prix at Silverstone received the support of 33.4 per cent. Meanwhile, 17.7 per cent selected the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which saw a titanic battle for the win between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
