Red Bull’s cost cap penalty will have a “big impact” on a number of teams next season, according to ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok. The energy drink giants will get 10 per cent less wind tunnel development next season as part of a series of penalties from the FIA for breaking the cost cap rules.
They have also been hit with a £6.4million ($7million) fine after being found guilty of a £1.8million ($2.2million) breach. The penalty has been considered small by many F1 fans on social media who hit back at the FIA for not introducing a tougher sentence.
However, it is believed less wind tunnel time will impact on Red Bull’s opportunities to develop their 2023 car and their 2024 package towards the end of the season. It will also mean Red Bull will be massively behind the development of their main rivals next season in a possible blow to Max Verstappen.
Posting on Twitter, Chandhok wrote: “The financial penalty to Red Bull may appear light to many. However, losing 10 per cent of wind tunnel time will mean that if everyone finishes in the same order as they are in now, they will have 12 per cent less than Ferrari (and) 17 per cent less than Mercedes for next year.
“That will have a big impact!”
READ MORE: Red Bull ‘broke F1 budget cap rules in 13 areas’ warns FIA report
This will equate to just 202 wind tunnel runs and 1260 CFD items for the first part of next season. Meanwhile, Ferrari will receive 75 per cent of their aero testing limit and 240 CFD items if they finish second in the world championship.
It would mean Mercedes receives the most development time of the frontrunners with 80 per cent of their aero testing limit and 256 CFD items.
