In the wake of their own 'error', Red Bull pair, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner believe as many as six teams could exceed the 2022 budget cap.

At a time the rest of us were hoping that the whole sorry saga could be put to bed, it is likely that the budget cap is going to dominate the headlines again next summer just as it did this year.

Still seeking to put a brave face on things, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko believe that this season as many as six teams will exceed the $140m cap.

Having been found guilty of breaching the 2021 cap - which stood at $145m - Red Bull was fined $7m and hit with a 10% reduction in aero testing.

Although, in the wake of the ongoing global financial crisis, the FIA has factored in a 3.1% increase to the cap, Marko believes that teams will still fall foul as they face ever increasing costs.

"I think the current situation is that six teams are above it," he tells Germany's Auto Motor Und Sport. "Inflation is something that was not calculable to that extent, especially with energy costs."

Insisting that his team has learned its lesson, and that its 2022 submission will show it as coming in under the cap, Horner also believes that rival teams will slip up, and wonders what sanctions they might face.

"The danger for 2022 is that there could be six teams in breach of the cap," he warns. "Energy prices have been exponential.

"There is that chance that several teams, many of which have stated it during Formula One commission meetings, will break the cap this year.

"We do not believe that we will break the cap in 2022," he adds, "but these penalties set a precedent for the future. So, if you get 10% for 0.3% breach, what is the 5% breach going to look like?"

While the budget cap was introduced as a means of levelling the playing field, Marko insists that it has failed, and certainly hasn't compromised Red Bull's development programme.

So far, the budget cap has not changed anything at all," says the Austrian. "Why should it be different in the future? You simply have to develop better.

"Of course, we are affected by the fact that we already have fewer wind tunnel hours because we won the championship. Now we have to get every test right. But in the end, it always depends on the quality of the staff."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Defiant, 09/11/2022 18:55

"I'm doubting the credibility of this statement by RB staff who may or may not be a little bitter right now regarding this subject.

If however they are correct, I wonder if the FIA will arrange a sweetheart deal for them to wriggle out of too?"

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2. Posted by Spindoctor, 09/11/2022 16:10

"Oh well. I guess it'll relieve the tedium of having to actually make cars & drive them fast...."

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3. Posted by Superbird70, 09/11/2022 14:02

"The penalty will probably be a small fine and the requirement to stitch a scarlet "A" onto each team members shirt to signify an accounting error. The shame. "

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4. Posted by dejan, 08/11/2022 17:18

"It would be really ironic if Red Bull was one (or one of two or three) team to break again the cost cap..."

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5. Posted by dejan, 08/11/2022 17:17

"Sorry but this statement is not credible - Red Bull did not know their own cap situation last year and now they have a very credible information that six other teams will breach the cap."

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6. Posted by elsiebc, 08/11/2022 16:17

"I think that the only reasonable penalty is exclusion from the championship because in the past cars would retire left and right and you could end up with a shock win, like Panis in Monaco, 1996. Now that they have legislated reliability and there are no longer crossed fingers during the last laps, they needed a different mechanism to "spice up the show". This could be it. And Williams could have a chance for another Championship! Welcome to the new world order."

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7. Posted by Max Noble, 08/11/2022 10:34

"Sweet - This is where Zak gets to reap what he sowed… As Christian so perfectly points out… if that is how they get mashed for a 0.3% breach, imagine what a larger breach is going to look like!

To be honest I’d be going for a “Bait and switch” conspiracy theory at this point, whereby RB took the first fall (knowing they’d be fine) to set a massive president for a mighty bashing with the old willow cricket bat… Which six other teams are now going to take right in the face… Ouch… Once more strategic genius from Red Bull.

Seriously… if this was the hammering for running over by ten dollars, imagine what they will imply is logical for a “serious” overrun…

Ah! The accountants are toasting the FIA tonight! Extra rum ration in the trenches etc.etc…"

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Six teams to exceed 2022 budget cap?

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