$7 million fine on Red Bull for Max Verstappen title push wasn’t enough claims Fred Vasseur

2022 was a year full of highs for Red Bull. They dominated the F1 season, winning 16 out of 22 races, and secured both World Championships, with Max Verstappen winning his second consecutive drivers’ title. Off the track, however, it was a turbulent year for the Austrian squad. They got fined $7 million for breaching the cost cap, which many team principals including new Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur feel was too lenient a punishment.

Midway into the last campaign, the FIA opened an investigation into Red Bull’s alleged breach. They along with Aston Martin and Williams were found guilty of spending past the set budget limit. While Aston Martin’s and Williams’ breaches were termed as procedural, Red Bull’s was too big to let go of easily.

The Milton-Keynes-based outfit was found guilty of overspending by $1.8 million. Subsequently, they had to pay a fine of $7 million and also had a 10% reduction in their wind-tunnel time for the 2023 season.

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Introducing budget cap was best thing that ever happened to F1, says Vasseur

The introduction of a budget cap in F1 was very controversial, to say the least. Bigger teams didn’t want it, because it meant they would have to keep their spending under control. The smaller teams, on the other hand, wanted to close the gap with their bigger counterparts, so they welcomed the change.

Vasseur, who was in charge of Alfa Romeo, was happy to see the cap introduced. He moved to Ferrari at the start of 2023 but still stands firm on his decision.

“The cost cap is by far the best regulation that we introduced in F1,” Vasseur said to motorsport.com. “Where we have to work today, firstly, it was far too long. We need to find a way to have a red light before. Or to be able to take action much earlier.”

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FIA should have been stricter on Max Verstappen and Red Bull

Vasseur feels that the FIA should be stricter with teams who overspend from 2023 onwards. While he didn’t target Red Bull or Verstappen in particular, he is wary of teams misusing the budget cap penalties, if they continue being ‘lenient’.

“We have to probably be a bit more strict on the decision,” said the 54-year-old. “Okay, perhaps this was the first one, but from now we have to forget about minor and major. Because for me, two or three million, it’s not minor, it’s mega, for development. I think we have to be much more strict and much more quick on the action.”

Heading into 2023, Vasseur looks to lead his new team Ferrari to a title charge, with Red Bull being their main challenge.