Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde believes that Red Bull will not be greatly affected by their penalty for breaching the 2021 cost cap.
It was confirmed by the FIA in October that the team had settled via an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA), and that their punishment for the breach would be a $7 million fine, along with having to forfeit 10% of their aerodynamic development allowance.
Team boss Christian Horner has claimed that the penalty could cost them “up to half a second per lap”, but some in the paddock – including Ferrari’s Laurent Mekies – have argued that the punishment did not go far enough.
In an interview with RacingNews365.comvan der Garde joined those questioning whether the sanction will have much of an effect on Red Bull.
“I don’t think it’s all that bad, Red Bull are going to feel very little of that,” the ex-Formula 1 driver said.
Van der Garde: Red Bull’s base is already strong
In terms of why he believes that Red Bull may not be greatly impacted by the penalty, van der Garde suggested that the fact that the team already have a strong car means that they have a better base to work with.
“It is of course a penalty and you can look at the story from two sides, but I think it is not that bad,” the Dutchman continued.
“You actually only miss 7% in wind tunnel time and simulations. Everyone in Formula 1 will say that 7% is a ridiculous amount, but on the other hand, with the current car being well-developed, the base is already so strong that it’s not going to matter that much.
“The base is so good that they are not going to feel that very much next year.
“Of course, they might have to adjust something here and there for next year, but even then they won’t be very big adjustments.”
